Pundit discusses one big problem in the Juventus defence

Originally posted on Juvefc.com | By Martin U | Last updated Feb 6, 2026 1:00 PM ET

Massimo Piscedda has criticised Juventus’ defence following the Bianconeri’s 3-0 defeat to Atalanta in the Coppa Italia quarterfinal last night. Juventus had approached the fixture with confidence, believing they could compete effectively and potentially secure a victory against La Dea.

Defensive expectations and recent form

In recent weeks, Juventus has shown improvement across all competitions, with its defence in particular receiving praise for its solidity. Few observers would have doubted their ability to withstand Atalanta’s attacks, and the team at the Allianz Stadium had anticipated a challenging but manageable encounter in Bergamo. The heavy defeat, however, revealed vulnerabilities, with Juventus returning to Turin without scoring and conceding three goals.

The result has raised questions over the consistency of their defensive performances, especially given the strong displays seen previously. While Spalletti’s side had appeared well-organised in past matches, the Coppa Italia loss demonstrated that lapses can occur, undermining confidence in the backline during crucial fixtures.

Gleison Bremer (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Piscedda’s analysis

Commenting on the defeat, Piscedda highlighted the potential weaknesses in Juventus’ defensive approach. As quoted by Tuttojuve, he said, “On paper, Lazio is an underdog against Juve, but then you have to play it. Spalletti’s team is vulnerable in some respects. The weak point? The defence sometimes falls asleep. So Lazio can score against them. The problem is that Lazio’s attack needs to wake up at the same time.”

His remarks suggest that while Juventus remain a strong team on paper, defensive lapses could be exploited by teams capable of capitalising on mistakes. The Coppa Italia defeat serves as a reminder that even recently solid units are susceptible to errors, emphasising the need for concentration and consistency in upcoming matches.

The result may prompt Spalletti and his coaching staff to reassess defensive strategies, ensuring that similar lapses do not recur in both domestic and cup competitions.

This article first appeared on Juvefc.com and was syndicated with permission.

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