Paolo Montero Urges Juventus to Play with Courage and Believe in a Turnaround
Former Juventus defender and coach Paolo Montero has challenged the current squad to show greater conviction, take responsibility and approach matches with the attacking courage expected of the club. Speaking to Tuttosport, the Uruguayan reflected on the team’s mindset, Luciano Spalletti’s influence and the importance of supporters standing behind Juventus during difficult spells.
Montero’s message comes as Juventus prepare for a demanding run of fixtures, including their Europa League meeting with JUV on 6 November 2026. With results and performances under scrutiny, his comments offer a pointed reminder that a season can change quickly—but only if the players believe they can make it happen.
Montero Questions Whether Juventus Have a Clear Objective
For Montero, a team’s progress begins with understanding what it is trying to achieve and why. He said he hoped the current Juventus players had a clear sense of their purpose, while describing the individuals he had recently met as well-mannered and positive.
He mentioned Manuel Locatelli and Bremer among the players he had spoken with, while noting that Andrea Cambiaso appeared more reserved. Montero’s observations were brief, but they point to a broader issue: good character and talent are important, yet a squad also needs a shared direction. At a club with Juventus’ history, expectations are high, and players must understand both the responsibility that comes with the shirt and the standards required to meet it.
That does not mean every match will be straightforward. Injuries, pressure and changes in form can all affect a team’s rhythm. But Montero’s view is that clarity of purpose helps players respond when circumstances become difficult, rather than allowing a setback to define the season.
Spalletti Has the Team’s Attention—but Belief Matters
Montero believes the Juventus squad is following Spalletti, but he raised an important distinction: listening to a coach is not necessarily the same as fully believing in his ideas. For a tactical plan to work consistently, players need to trust it, commit to it under pressure and support one another when a game becomes uncomfortable.
He was not calling for another change in direction. Instead, Montero argued that Juventus should avoid making decisions based on short-term frustration and give the current approach a chance to take hold. At the same time, he warned that simply continuing as before will not be enough if the players fail to give their full effort.
That balance is central to any football prediction about Juventus’ prospects. A team may have the quality to compete, but potential alone does not guarantee a return to form. Consistency, intensity and confidence are just as important—particularly in matches where the margin between winning and losing is narrow.
Three or Four Wins Could Transform the Season
Montero stressed how quickly perceptions can shift in football. A run of three or four victories, he suggested, could put Juventus back in a strong position and restore belief among the squad and supporters. That is a realistic reminder of how momentum works: a team that looks uncertain one week can appear far more convincing after a few positive results.
Winning can improve confidence, but it can also reinforce habits that are already beginning to develop. Players make quicker decisions, take more responsibility and are more willing to attempt difficult passes or forward runs. Conversely, repeated setbacks can encourage hesitation, making even simple actions feel risky. For Juventus, the challenge is to break that cycle by combining disciplined performances with the confidence to play on the front foot.
Montero’s appeal was not simply to hope for better results. He wants the players to act as if a turnaround is possible, beginning with their attitude in each match. The former defender’s words reflect a familiar Juventus standard: resilience matters, but so does the courage to impose the team’s game on an opponent.
“We’re Juve”: A Call to Attack Rather Than Hide
Montero used a colourful Uruguayan expression to criticise overly defensive football. He said he would rather see Juventus lose heavily while trying to play than watch them retreat into what he called the “bat tactic”—a team clinging to its own goal and focusing only on survival.
His point was not that defence has no place in the game. Juventus have built much of their identity on organisation and defensive strength, and those qualities remain valuable. Rather, Montero believes that a team of Juventus’ stature should not allow fear to dictate its approach. Defending with discipline is different from abandoning ambition.
Taking the initiative can involve pressing higher, moving the ball forward more quickly and supporting attacks with numbers. It also requires players to accept that an aggressive approach may carry risk. Montero’s preference is clear: Juventus should compete with personality, rather than make the opposition comfortable by sitting back for long periods.
Supporters Can Influence the Atmosphere
Montero also acknowledged that the stadium can affect what happens on the pitch. The relationship between a team and its supporters is not always simple, especially when results disappoint, but the atmosphere can shape a match. Encouragement may help players find energy during a difficult spell, while frustration can add to the pressure they are already facing.
He urged fans to stand by Juventus when the team is struggling, rather than supporting the club only when it is winning. That appeal does not remove the squad’s responsibility to deliver performances. Instead, it recognises that loyalty is most visible during challenging periods, when confidence is fragile and the team needs a united environment.
For Juventus, the immediate test is to turn Montero’s words into action. The former defender has called for clarity, full commitment and a more adventurous mentality, while also backing the idea of giving Spalletti’s project time. If the players can combine those qualities, a short winning run could quickly alter the mood around the club. The prediction, however, depends on more than reputation: Juventus must show on the pitch that they believe in their coach, their teammates and their ability to take the game to the opposition.
