Stephan Lichtsteiner has expressed strong confidence in Luciano Spalletti, backing the coach to guide Juventus back into the Champions League. The former Switzerland international, who currently manages Basel, shared his views following a pre-season friendly match between his side and the Bianconeri. Lichtsteiner, who spent seven years playing in Turin, described Spalletti as an excellent coach and one of the best in the business, asserting that he is more than capable of rectifying the team's current situation.
While acknowledging the difficulty of assessing the club from a distance, Lichtsteiner emphasized the immense pressure inherent in wearing the Juventus jersey, stating that the expectation to win is constant. He also pointed to a significant leadership void at the club, noting that the departure of iconic figures like Andrea Pirlo, Gianluigi Buffon, and Alessandro Del Piero has left a gap that the current squad must work to rebuild. He stressed that while these pillars are no longer present, the demand for success remains the standard.
Reflecting on his return to face his former club, Lichtsteiner admitted he was deeply moved by the reception he received from the fans after seven years away. Beyond his comments on Juventus, the former right-back also weighed in on the vacant Italy national team coaching position. He offered a ringing endorsement for Andrea Pirlo, stating that he knows his former teammate well and believes he possesses all the necessary qualities to succeed. Lichtsteiner expressed absolute certainty that Pirlo is capable of making Italy great again.
