Spalletti relishing latest battle with ´role model´ Gasperini as Juventus look to close gap

Luciano Spalletti has hailed his “role model” Gian Piero Gasperini ahead of Juventus’ Serie A clash with top-four rivals Roma on Saturday.

Roma beat Como 1-0 on Monday to regain a four-point advantage on Juventus, who won by the same scoreline at Bologna a day earlier, in the Serie A table.

Spalletti has a good relationship with Gasperini and says he is one of many to have learned from the veteran tactician.

“I get along with everyone,” Spalletti said at his pre-match press conference. “He’s one of those who has always piqued my curiosity.

“You can always learn from someone like Gasperini, who is a role model. Everyone does his thing.

“How many times do you hear someone say ‘they’re doing it like Atalanta or Roma’? He’s transformed players, from a mental point of view.

“Like [Arrigo] Sacchi, Gasperini also created new situations. For that, he deserves praise.”

Juventus

Browse the gallery https://t.co/rEHpnuLics#ASRoma pic.twitter.com/i0QEi67e2Y

— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) December 18, 2025

Juventus appointed former Roma head coach Spalletti at the end of October and have won five of their past six games in all competitions.

Spalletti’s side have also lost just one of their past 11 and have a chance to close the gap on Roma this weekend.

It could easily have been Gasperini in the Juve dugout, though, as he was approached to manage the Bianconeri earlier this year.

Explaining his decision to join Roma instead, Gasperini told Sky Sports Italia: “Because it was more difficult. I’m happy with how it went.

“Now we face this important match. Juve remain a great team and winning is always in their DNA. We want to test ourselves against this team.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Juventus – Jonathan David

David has found the net in back-to-back Champions League games for Juventus, but he continues to struggle domestically.

The Canada international has gone 13 games without scoring in Serie A, with this his longest-ever goalless run in a European top-flight league.

David has been named Canada Soccer’s Men’s Player of the Year

Congratulations, Jonathan! pic.twitter.com/ER5yObd6Uh

— JuventusFC