Spalletti’s words after the game : League position obviously makes a difference. To climb as high as possible, you have to win matches. That is what allows you to consolidate your standing and move toward the next objective. At the highest level, everything comes down to the details. 1/2

Tonight, the defense was excellent; they didn’t give anything away. That gives you peace of mind and allows you to play attacking football. For long periods, they played man-to-man, and when you keep a clean sheet, it helps you grow every time. There is less space in the intermediate zones to find solutions. The important thing is winning games without becoming obsessed with exactly where we’ll finish. We aren’t worried about that; it is simply the consequence of how many victories we manage to secure.

Now, we must solidify our place in the Champions League. If Roma and Como had been playing tomorrow, we would have felt the pressure to win with the right attitude. They spared me that pressure, which is fundamental. Afterward, we will analyze the level of football displayed. Our fans are here, confident when they see us take the pitch. They have seen great players here; we must work to reach that level, and then everything will click into place. If we bring research, determination, desire in training, and solidarity, everything will be fine.

Careers aren’t judged by the number of matches played, but by their quality. And tonight, we had that quality, the quality of footballers who deserve to play in the Champions League. We had an opportunity that couldn’t be wasted, and we seized it well.

I replaced Holm not because he was performing below his level, but because he felt a slight muscular issue and we didn’t want to risk it worsening.

All these contract extensions show that the club is fully committed to the work we are doing. The players can remain calm, without getting caught up in rumors like ‘he isn’t renewing, he’s going to leave.’ The club is doing a perfect job.

Am I more surprised by being +5 over Roma and Como or -3 against Napoli and Milan? Nothing surprises me. What happens with other teams is none of my business. We are progressing step by step, and that is what gives me confidence for the next match. Seeing players who appreciate one another and genuinely want to be a team that is what matters. Ultimately, the table will put everything in its place; we will be judged by the objectives we reach or miss.

The team follows my lead. I wanted to see them for who they really were, because you could feel they were a group of good guys sometimes even too kind, a bit timid. They needed to be freed from the judgment of others; they had to understand they needed to rebel against this ‘too normal’ image. They showed they have absolute value and talent. In terms of assessment, we are still missing a few pieces of the same caliber, but these are strong players. We lacked certain characteristics to complete the squad, but not because the current players were bad. They prove their worth through their qualities. We are missing certain profiles that would make the team even more complete, but they have always conducted themselves perfectly. I have always maintained a correct and professional relationship with them.”

Good thing Holm isn’t injured