Milan/Turin, Oct 31: It was an eventful day in Italian football on Thursday as Lazio were held to a goalless draw at Pisa, Cagliari’s struggles deepened with another defeat, and Juventus announced the appointment of veteran coach Luciano Spalletti, signalling a new era at the Turin club.
Lazio Held in Rain-Soaked Battle at Pisa
Heavy rain and missed opportunities defined the evening as Lazio were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw against a resilient Pisa side, which managed to record its third consecutive stalemate to edge out of the Serie A relegation zone.
Both sides entered the contest with contrasting momentum — Pisa had snatched a valuable point against AC Milan last week, while Lazio were buoyed by their victory over Juventus, a result that eventually cost Igor Tudor his job in Turin.
In difficult playing conditions, Toma Bašić came agonisingly close to putting Lazio ahead midway through the first half, but Pisa goalkeeper Adrian Šemper produced a stunning fingertip save to divert the shot onto the post.
Despite enjoying more possession, Lazio failed to find the breakthrough and were left to rue their missed chances. The result keeps them in mid-table, six points adrift of the top four, while Pisa — still searching for their first win of the campaign — climbed above Hellas Verona to 17th on goal difference.
Cagliari’s Crisis Deepens with Fifth Straight Winless Match
Elsewhere, Cagliari’s woes continued as they slumped to a 2-1 home defeat against Sassuolo, extending their winless streak to five matches.
After a tight first half, Armand Laurienté put Sassuolo ahead in the 54th minute with a perfectly placed free kick.
The visitors doubled their lead 11 minutes later when Andrea Pinamonti capitalised on a defensive lapse, just moments after Gabriele Zappa had rattled the crossbar for the hosts.
Sebastiano Esposito gave the home crowd a brief moment of cheer with a 73rd-minute goal — his first after 31 games without scoring — but it wasn’t enough to inspire a comeback.
The defeat leaves Cagliari four points above the relegation zone, with pressure mounting on the coaching staff to reverse the slide. Sassuolo, meanwhile, move four points clear of their opponents, continuing their steady climb up the table.
Juventus Appoints Luciano Spalletti in Bid to Reignite Title Hopes
Amid the turbulence in Serie A, Juventus made headlines off the pitch, confirming the appointment of Luciano Spalletti as their new head coach.
The 66-year-old former Napoli and Italy manager has signed an eight-month deal, which will be automatically extended for two years if the club secures Champions League qualification.
The move comes just days after the Bianconeri sacked Igor Tudor following three straight defeats and an eight-match winless streak.
Juventus briefly halted the slump with a 3-1 victory over Udinese under interim coach Massimo Brambilla, but the management acted swiftly to stabilise the season.
In an official statement, the club said, “We are delighted to welcome a coach with such expertise and experience to the Bianconeri family: welcome to Juventus and good luck, coach!”
Spalletti, who famously guided Napoli to the Serie A title in 2023, will hold his first press conference on Friday. His first test comes on Saturday against Cremonese, followed by a crucial Champions League fixture against Sporting Lisbon three days later. Juventus currently sit seventh in Serie A, six points behind co-leaders Napoli and Roma, and in the elimination zone of the Champions League, having drawn two and lost one so far.
The new appointment marks Juventus’ third full-time coach since Massimiliano Allegri’s exit in May 2024, underscoring the club’s ongoing struggle to regain stability and dominance.
Interestingly, Spalletti’s son Federico Spalletti, already a scout at the club, will now work under his father’s management.
Having also managed Empoli, Roma, Zenit St. Petersburg, and Inter Milan, Spalletti brings a wealth of experience and tactical sharpness to Turin. His immediate challenge will be to restore confidence, reinvigorate the squad, and guide Juventus back into title contention.
As Serie A heads into another crucial weekend, the mood across Italy’s top clubs remains a blend of frustration and anticipation — Lazio searching for consistency, Cagliari battling to stay afloat, and Juventus daring to dream again under a new leader.
While the weather in Pisa mirrored the gloom for some, the arrival of Luciano Spalletti in Turin promises a ray of hope, hinting that the winds of change could soon reshape the Italian football landscape. (AP)
