Chiellini: ‘Juventus and Roma fight to last minute, but only Spalletti’ for 2026-27

BOLOGNA, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Former Juventus player Giorgio Chiellini looks on prior to the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Juventus FC at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Juventus director Giorgio Chiellini warns it will be ‘a fight to the last minute to see who gets into the Champions League’ as they face Roma, but Luciano Spalletti’s future is guaranteed.

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s Serie A games on the Liveblog.

There were mixed feelings after Wednesday’s Champions League exit to Galatasaray, as although they ultimately capitulated in extra time 7-5 on aggregate, they had managed to wipe out the 5-2 first leg deficit when down to 10 men.

Chiellini has faith in Juventus

“Roma are a strong team with a great coach, so of course we expected them to challenge for fourth place to the end,” Chiellini told DAZN Italia.

“This is an important game, we need to recover some points we dropped recently, but it will be a fight to the last minute of the last game to see who gets into the Champions League.”

The fact remains, Juventus are now out of the Champions League and the Coppa Italia, while this is a head-to-head for their hope of climbing back into the top four of Serie A.

Before the ‘win’ over Galatasaray, the Bianconeri had lost four and drawn one in all competition.

“It won’t be over tomorrow regardless, but clearly it is an important fixture. Apart from the setback with Como, the only game in the last three months that was a really bad performance, the team has looked solid and with more belief in its abilities.

“I don’t know if we will win, but I do expect to see a mature and confident performance, which we saw on Wednesday.”

Inevitably, Chiellini was again asked if there are any plans to sign coach Spalletti to a long-term contract, seeing as his Juventus deal only runs to June 30.

“Unfortunately in a way we’ll have a lot more time during the week from now on to sit down with Luciano and talk, but for I don’t see anyone else on the Juventus bench for next season. Let’s just do everything at the right time, there’s no rush,” assured Chiellini.

Manuel Locatelli is suspended tonight, with Dusan Vlahovic, Emil Holm and Arek Milik out, but Pierre Kalulu and Gleison Bremer return.

There are a few question marks over what system Juve are using, as so much depends on the versatility of Weston McKennie.

Mattia Perin is also confirmed in goal after recent Michele Di Gregorio howlers.