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Juventus beat Frosinone, but once again showed the same familiar shortcomings. And Spalletti is calling for reinforcements.

The same old Juventus, the same old Spalletti, and the same old transfer-market theme. Juventus’ league opener delivered three points to their supporters, but also a strong feeling of déjà vu. The away win at Frosinone for long stretches resembled many Juve performances from last season: one goal scored, several openings wasted to make it 2-0, and then the danger of being dragged back into the game during an increasingly uneasy closing spell. A superb Bremer made the difference at both ends of the pitch. But whether that will be enough against stronger opposition remains an entirely fair question.

Luciano Spalletti appears to have the same doubts. That too is hardly surprising: throughout his career, the coach has never hidden what he thinks. Even with his polished style and his fondness for layered metaphors, Spalletti is sending unmistakable messages to the club’s leadership. And he is making equally clear demands. Of everything he said after the match, the remarks that stand out are his pointed words aimed at Randal Kolo Muani, his firm position on Conceicao, and his description of the type of new striker Juventus should target in the transfer market. This is the essence of Spalletti’s thinking:

Spalletti’s line of thought

On Kolo Muani: "We went out and got Randal and we looked after him, we know his value. But he also has to realise that, if he has not been playing for two years, there must be a reason. Sometimes you think you are at an exceptional level and then leave something behind. In matches like this he has to bring home some goals because he had the right spaces. He will give us back what he did not give us here."

On Conceicao: "For me, Conceicao is not for sale. There was a moment when all of us were on the market, me too because we did not qualify for the Champions League. Then the directors balanced the books. Conceicao is a strong player whom we want to keep."

On the market and the new striker: "The directors will certainly be active and will assess what happens during the week, but we could also stay as we are. We are still a strong team, and almost strong if, as today, certain situations are not finished off. The striker we are looking for could be one with different characteristics, because he likes to run into space. Then there are matches that are played in the final 20 minutes, when you need something different if teams sit deep."

FROM SIXTH PLACE

You wonder what Carnevali, Massara and Ottolini make of all this. Above all, you wonder what John Elkann thinks, considering that last Monday, during the friendly against Next Gen, he sat on the bench beside Spalletti and then, after the final whistle, pointed to victory as Juventus’ eternal mission, and therefore also the mission of this season’s Juve, even amid a rebuilding phase.

And yet the Juventus seen yesterday, along with Spalletti’s worries, suggest this remains a side built for sixth place, or fourth at best. Will Spalletti’s work on the training ground and the final nine days of the transfer window be enough to alter both the present and the destiny of this Juventus team?