Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti has delivered a scathing assessment of his side’s performance following their 2-0 victory against Pafos in the Champions League, labelling parts of their first-half display as "embarrassing". The Italian tactician lamented that his players missed "easy balls" and struggled defensively, necessitating a tactical reshuffle involving Weston McKennie to shore up a fragile backline.

Juventus seal vital Champions League victory

While three points in the Champions League usually calls for celebration, the mood in the Juventus camp was decidedly sombre following their latest European outing against the Cypriot side. Despite securing a victory that keeps their slim hopes of a top-eight finish alive in the league phase, the Bianconeri were far from convincing, leaving their manager fuming at the technical poverty and defensive fragility on display. Spalletti refused to sugarcoat the evening's events during his post-match media duties, making it clear that while the result was necessary, the method of achieving it fell well below the standards required at the elite level of European football.

AdvertisementAFPJuventus did 'the bare minimum', says Spalletti

The primary source of Spalletti’s ire was a disjointed first-half performance where Juventus seemed unable to string passes together or control the tempo of the game. For a coach who prides himself on fluid, possession-based football, seeing his side struggle with the basics was a bitter pill to swallow.

Speaking to after the whistle, Spalletti offered a brutally honest verdict on the initial 45 minutes, saying: "It was fundamental to win and with victories, things are put right. I am not happy and neither are the lads, we could and should have done more. We did the bare minimum, in the first half there were also embarrassing situations. Then after the goal, we had more tranquillity."

Defensive headaches

Beyond the general malaise, Spalletti pinpointed specific tactical deficiencies that left his side exposed. The injury crisis in defence forced the manager into uncomfortable compromises, most notably the deployment of Weston McKennie in a defensive role and the shifting of Pierre Kalulu.

The balance of the backline was a major concern, with Pafos finding it far too easy to create goalscoring opportunities on the counter-attack. Spalletti’s analysis of his full-backs was particularly telling, highlighting the trade-off between offensive output and defensive solidity.

"Difficulty defending? It is true, we must also recover a right centre-back to let Kalulu play full-back and not McKennie," Spalletti explained.

He reserved specific criticism for the defensive vulnerabilities on the flanks, noting that while Andrea Cambiaso offers a threat going forward, he can become a liability when facing dynamic wingers.

"Also Cambiaso is very offensive and struggles against players who cut inside," the manager added. "We conceded too much and exploited our qualities little, missing easy balls. For the moment it is like this, we take the second half."

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The victory provides breathing space, but it has not solved the underlying problems. Spalletti’s public undressing of the team’s performance serves as a warning shot: this level of play will not suffice in the knockout stages against stronger opposition.

They are now 17th in the Champions League table, leaving them on track to advance as an unseeded team for the knockout play-off draw. However, with just three points separating them from the top eight, Spalletti will hope to get maximum points from their last two games of the round to ensure they go straight into the last-16.

First of all, however, they will aim to crawl back up the Serie A table as Spalletti's seventh-placed team visit a Bologna side sitting fifth and with just one defeat in their last 15 matches in all competitions. AC Milan and Napoli are currently eight points clear of Spalletti's Bianconeri at the top of the table.

Though wickets fell at the other end, Wyatt-Hodge kept finding the boundary and sealed the match with two balls to go

AAP18-Nov-2025Hobart Hurricanes opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge’s unbeaten half-century secured a thrilling four-wicket win over Adelaide Strikers.Wyatt-Hodge, the golden cap owner for most runs for the season, paced her 72 not out off 57 to perfection to get the undefeated Hurricanes home with two deliveries to spare.Strikers fast bowler Darcie Brown (4 for 16) had threatened to win the match for her side with equal career-best figures, which allowed her to wear the golden cap for most wickets for the summer to date.Hurricanes pace bowler Hayley Silver-Holmes hit consecutive boundaries in the last over off Megan Schutt to secure victory at Bellerive Oval as they chased down Adelaide’s 134.Related

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Wyatt-Hodge, who now has 251 runs in just four games this season, took 18 runs from 19-year-old Eleanor Larosa’s first over in the WBBL, including four boundaries in a row highlighted by some delightful timing through the offside.Lizelle Lee (12 runs) flicked a six with ease over deep square leg before chopping on a Brown delivery after a breezy 33-run opening stand. Brown had her rhythm working and bowled stump-to-stump. Nat Sciver-Brunt tried an ill-conceived ramp and heard the death rattle.Next on Brown’s hit list was Nicola Carey who was well caught at first slip by Amanda-Jade Wellington. Then a fast Brown yorker went straight through Heather Graham.Though wickets fell at the other end, Wyatt-Hodge kept finding the boundary when she needed to and picked up her ones and twos as well.Hurricanes are doing everything right in the early stages of the season. Their bowlers are picking up wickets with regularity and their fielders are backing them up with quality work.Strikers never got going early in their innings after being sent in and the pressure built and built. Carey’s inswingers tied up the Strikers and she made the early breakthrough to get rid of Tammy Beaumont.Adelaide’s best batter Laura Wolvaardt was well caught at mid-off by skipper Elyse Villani from the crafty offspin of Lauren Smith. Seamer Heather Graham (2-23) knocked over Madeline Penna with a peach of a delivery that seamed in and after 10 overs the visitors had dawdled to 3-45.Captain Tahlia McGrath appeared to be finding the form that has eluded her in the opening round but couldn’t kick on. Wicketkeeper Bridget Patterson (24) was another who failed to make the most of a start.Strikers legspinner Wellington (33 not out off 21) was the most creative and effective batter in her late cameo. Left-arm orthodox turner Linsey Smith (1-11 off four) gave nothing away in a wily spell for the Hurricanes.

Mohamed Salah has been told his complaints that Liverpool have "thrown him under the bus" after another first-team omission "don't stack up". The Egypt international dropped a bombshell interview after his side's 3-3 draw with Leeds United on Saturday, throwing his Anfield future into question. Now, ex-Reds ace Danny Murphy has criticised the 33-year-old for his "emotional response".

• Salah in another remarkable interview

  Just over a year ago, Salah shocked the footballing world when he said he was "probably more out than in" as his contract ticked towards its final six months. The former Chelsea man eventually signed a new two-year deal earlier this year but it hasn't taken long for him to be back in the headlines. Not long after Liverpool's thrilling draw at Elland Road, Salah said it is "very clear" someone wants him to "get all of the blame", that the club has "thrown him under the bus" and that this situation was unacceptable. Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton has slammed his outburst and now ex-England international Murphy has weighed in on the matter.

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  'It's not true'

  Murphy made it clear he didn't give much credence to Salah's claims and that this was something said in the heat of the moment.

  He said on BBC's Match of the Day: "We know that’s an emotional response and doesn’t really stack up. Everyone has to keep fighting for their place and performing at a certain level. I don’t think he’s [Salah] on his own. I think there are a lot of other big-name players starting to get stick and get the fanbase turning a little bit against them. Everyone’s getting judged."

  The former Fulham player also doesn't believe that Salah is unfairly being singled out, particularly as lots of his team-mates are being criticised for their performances as well. He added that this is not how a top professional conducts himself.

  "It’s not true, it’s not true. I think you can be emotional and you can be angry and frustrated, he’s done wonderful things for the football club. [But] you have to keep it in the four walls of the club," Murphy said. "Knock on the manager’s door, go and see the CEO, whoever it is, go and see the owners, do whatever you’ve got to do, express your frustration. He’s causing the team a problem and the manager a problem. And he’s making it all about him. And you just can’t do it. Whether you agree with him being left out or not you don’t deal with it like this."

• Slot on Salah omission

  For the second time in three Premier League outings, Salah was an unused substitute for Liverpool, who sit eighth in the table. The defending champions are 10 points behind table-toppers Arsenal, with Arne Slot's side looking almost unrecognisable from the team that romped to the league title last term. 

  When asked why Salah did not come off the bench, manager Slot said: "It was more about controlling the game at [3-2 to Liverpool] and we didn't need a goal. Normally, when you need a goal, like last week against Sunderland, I brought Mo on."

  Not long after, Salah – who scored 29 goals and added 18 assists in the league last season but this campaign he has just four goals and two assists – would say he no longer had a relationship with the Dutchman. 

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  What comes next for Salah?

  It remains to be seen what Slot will say about Salah's outburst and if he will start against Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday. The Reds then take on Brighton next weekend, which will be Salah's last match before heading off to the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt. So, does the veteran have a future at Anfield? Murphy thinks so. 

  "I do think he will [play again]," he said. "I think he'll have time to settle down. Everyone will want a legend like Salah to go on good terms with a wonderful send-off, maybe at the end of the season as great players have had in the past. I hope it doesn't end badly because of everything he's given but there's always a chance if he's adamant. Liverpool are in charge of what happens because they have got his contract. But if he's adamant he wants to leave, maybe we'll see something in January."

Had Liverpool been dispatched at the London Stadium right now, the calls for Arne Slot’s dismissal would have risen a few decibels, higher than the din that followed successive Anfield defeats against PSV Eindhoven and Nottingham Forest.

But Liverpool secured a 2-0 win over the Hammers in the Premier League, with Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo sealing three much-needed points for the struggling Redmen.

Still, the Merseyside outfit have left so much to be desired this term, lacking all of last year’s balance and belief as Slot was crowned king in his first year in charge.

So much has gone wrong, and the forthcoming league fixtures against Sunderland and Leeds United will determine whether a true crisis has been averted.

Much more is needed. The likes of Florian Wirtz and Isak are beginning to show signs of world-class quality, but FSG must feel pretty rueful over their decision to sell Luis Diaz and opt against sealing a like-for-like replacement for the Colombian winger.

How Luis Diaz has performed since leaving Liverpool

In fairness, Diaz was set to enter the penultimate year of his Liverpool contract, and there was no sign of a resolution. The Reds cashed in for a healthy £66.5m sum.

However, the 28-year-old’s blistering performances in Germany this season have underscored the dimension that Slot has lost down the left channel. Moreover, let’s not forget that Diaz played plenty of football as a makeshift number nine last year.

Bayern score a lot of goals, and they are the dominant force in the Bundesliga. However, Diaz is impartial as to who he picks apart, having played some immense stuff in the Champions League too.

His prolificness has catapulted him to a seat at the highest table, marrying his athleticism and electricity with a new sharpness in front of goal.

Most G + A from Europe’s Top 5 Leagues (25/26)

Player

G + A

Total

Harry Kane

24 + 3

27

Kylian Mbappe

23 + 3

26

Erling Haaland

19 + 1

20

Michael Olise

9 + 10

19

Luis Diaz

12 + 6

18

Data via Transfermarkt

This serves as a reminder that the grass is not always greener. Diaz will have no regrets over his summer transfer, but Liverpool desperately miss his speed and energy and potent threat.

And now, FSG are in danger of losing their next version of the versatile forward.

Liverpool star could be "the next Diaz"

Liverpool opted against directly replacing Diaz this summer, hoping to keep a road to the first team for Rio Ngumoha clear from clutter.

But Diaz is an elite player, and he is not easily replaced. Perhaps some of a Liverpool persuasion regret their frustrations directed toward him last season, with the clinical performances coming in pockets throughout the year.

History may repeat itself with Alexis Mac Allister, who has been described by prominent Liverpool fan John O’Sullivan as being “the next Diaz” in that he is being hounded out by some segments for his performances this year.

While it’s true that the Argentina “superstar”, as he has been called by pundit Joe Cole, has been off the boil this season, he is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, instrumental for the club’s success since joining from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2023.

Few know the byways of the midfield game like Mac Allister, who is combative and creative and cerebral in his performance in the engine room. Not just a steely lieutenant, he is smart and savvy, and that sets him apart.

Alexis Mac Allister in the Prem for Slot

Stats (* per game)

24/25

25/26

Matches (starts)

35 (30)

12 (11)

Goals

5

0

Assists

5

2

Touches*

55.8

49.2

Accurate passes*

35.5 (87%)

33.1 (86%)

Key passes*

1.3

0.8

Dribbles*

0.5

0.3

Ball recoveries*

4.2

3.1

Tackles + interceptions*

3.3

1.6

Clearances*

0.8

0.8

Duels (won)*

4.9 (48%)

2.8 (46%)

Data via Sofascore

Form is temporary, as the old adage goes. Mac Allister will surely bounce back, but if Liverpool are set for a rocky road through the 2025/26 season, the 26-year-old may be considered for sale next summer, though reports suggest sporting director Richard Hughes and the club’s officials want him to stay put.

It’s as clear as day: Mac Allister will thrive if sold to a superpower in Germany or La Liga.

And Liverpool, as with Diaz, will be left rueing their decision as they scramble to find an adequate replacement.

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Posts 1 ByAngus Sinclair Dec 2, 2025

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