Former Juventus defender Nicola Legrottaglie recently shared his thoughts on the club’s current defensive situation and offered advice to new signing Teun Koopmeiners in an interview with Tuttosport.
Addressing the defensive challenges following Bremer’s injury, Legrottaglie said, “They can proceed with Gatti, Kalulu, and Cabal, who can be adapted as a center-back. But given Thiago Motta’s football philosophy, it wouldn’t be surprising to see some players in different roles. Clearly, considering the many commitments, they will sign a defender in January – one with characteristics similar to Gleison’s.”
When asked about potential defensive reinforcements, Legrottaglie mentioned Ismajli: “He has similar characteristics: physically strong, good at anticipation, and can also play as a full-back. He could be the right profile, although Bremer has a better sense of the game.”
On Danilo’s potential as a center-back, Legrottaglie commented, “He would be an experienced central defender. He’s not in his twenties anymore, but with Juventus having a dominant playing style, he’s unlikely to be challenged too often.”
Legrottaglie praised Federico Gatti’s development, stating, “He’s grown in managing moments on the field. He came from a lower division, arrived at Juventus, and now plays with the captain’s armband. I see a new Torricelli in him. Juventus is good at discovering and creating these beautiful stories.”
Regarding Cambiaso, Legrottaglie noted, “Today, there’s no distinction between low or high wingers. He manages to cover all 60-70 meters of the field very well. He touches many balls, is always involved in the game, and thus becomes decisive, as we’ve seen with the national team.”
On Juventus’ Scudetto chances, Legrottaglie was cautious: “We can’t say today that they will win the Scudetto. But there’s a project, a work in progress that in the next 2-3 years will surely make Juventus a winning team. This year, I believe Napoli and Inter are still a step ahead.”
Legrottaglie had high praise for new signing Koopmeiners: “For me, he’s an incredible player capable of seeing the game ten seconds before everyone else… He has everything to become a great player.”
However, Legrottaglie also offered a word of caution to Koopmeiners and other young players at Juventus: “It’s Juventus that enhances your talent, not the other way around. Juventus gives you the opportunity to grow, but you must do so first by understanding where you are.”
When asked if this advice was directed at Dusan Vlahovic, Legrottaglie responded: “Dusan is a complete striker. Juventus must have such a striker, like him, with his desire for Juve. But he must enter and put himself completely at the disposal of the Juventus container. Today he feels suitable to be a leader of this team, before he didn’t – there were other players who didn’t give him the opportunity to emerge. Today, in a team with more young players, he can be the leader, the driving force, and thus his talent comes out.”
