Spalletti Questions VAR as Juventus Held by Rennes, Demands More from Woltemade and Kolo Muani

FolioPitch.com – 23 October 2026 | Luciano Spalletti admitted he was baffled by the VAR decision that denied Juventus a late winner in Thursday’s 2-2 Europa League draw with Rennes, and the Juventus coach also challenged his forwards to deliver more after an uneven attacking display in Turin. The episode encapsulated a frustrating night for the Bianconeri, and it was clear that Spalletti didn’t understand disallowed goal as Juventus coach expects more from Woltemade and Kolo Muani, a theme that dominated his post-match remarks.

With the game level at 2-2 and only two minutes of normal time remaining, Jhon Lucumí appeared to have snatched all three points when he converted after Teun Koopmeiners flicked on a free kick. The Juventus Stadium erupted, but the celebrations were cut short when VAR intervened, ruling that the Colombian defender had been offside at the moment of the flick-on. The decision left Spalletti visibly perplexed and searching for answers.

“I didn’t understand it, and I’m going to look into it,” Spalletti said. “When I saw it in the dressing room, I was surprised and disappointed. The Rennes player could have cleared that ball and Lucumí didn’t impede him. I thought I knew this rule, but after tonight I have a lot of doubts. The referee was very good, but a little less good on this incident.”

The disallowed goal overshadowed what had been a spirited Juventus response to Sunday’s chastening 3-0 defeat to Lazio. Spalletti’s side fell behind but fought their way back into the contest, with Nick Woltemade setting up Zeki Çelik’s opener and then converting a penalty to restore parity. Rennes, however, proved stubborn opposition, and the Italian coach was quick to credit the French club’s quality.

“This is a good side, with quick, technical players and a strong academy,” he said. “We have to show we’re better than the others, otherwise we just keep going round in circles.”

For the first time in a competitive fixture, Spalletti started Woltemade and Randal Kolo Muani together in attack. The experiment produced mixed results. Woltemade was influential, involved in both Juventus goals, while Kolo Muani struggled to impose himself and was withdrawn ten minutes from time. Spalletti made it clear that the pair’s current output falls short of their potential, and once again the narrative returned to how Spalletti didn’t understand disallowed goal as Juventus coach expects more from Woltemade and Kolo Muani.

“Today they did well, but I think I can expect more from both of them, because their qualities are greater than the performance they gave tonight,” Spalletti said. “What the two of them produce isn’t just the sum of their individual qualities. They can coexist, and when they work together, they can become three, not two.”

The coach’s comments suggest he believes the attacking partnership can evolve into something greater than the sum of its parts, but only if both players raise their levels. The draw leaves Juventus with work to do in the Europa League league phase, and Spalletti is demanding a braver approach from his team, particularly when they are tempted to sit on a lead.

“We have this tendency to feel comfortable sitting deep, but modern football isn’t like that any more,” he said. “Gaining a few metres means choosing when to press and having the attitude of a team that wants to take control.”

Spalletti was nonetheless satisfied with the attitude his players showed in recovering from the Lazio setback. “I’m satisfied with our attitude, because getting back into the game at a time like this was difficult,” he added. “The lads accepted the difficulties, gained ground and were rewarded, even though we hadn’t made any glaring mistakes for their two goals.”

The Juventus coach’s frustration with the officiating was palpable, and his demand for clarity on the offside rule was a recurring theme. It was a night when Spalletti didn’t understand disallowed goal as Juventus coach expects more from Woltemade and Kolo Muani, and the dual frustration—over a controversial call and over his forwards’ inconsistency—will linger as his side prepares for the next challenge.

Ultimately, Juventus will reflect on two dropped points in a match they largely controlled. Spalletti’s men showed character to come from behind, but the attacking cohesion he craves from Woltemade and Kolo Muani remains a work in progress. The coach’s message was clear: the pair must deliver more, and the team must shed its tendency to retreat into a defensive shell. If they can do that, the disappointment of this draw may yet prove instructive. For now, Spalletti didn’t understand disallowed goal as Juventus coach expects more from Woltemade and Kolo Muani, and both issues will need to be resolved if Juventus are to fulfil their ambitions this season.