Spaletti harshly criticizes Kolo Muani on Serie A opening day

Luciano Spaletti did not wait long to raise his voice. On Serie A’s opening day, the Juventus manager publicly criticized Randal Kolo Muani the day after the Bianconeri’s narrow victory at Frosinone (0-1) on Sunday.

Starting up front for Turin, the French striker — permanently signed after a six-month loan in 2025 — delivered a lackluster performance, notably missing a big chance early in the match. Enough to trigger his manager’s anger in the post-match press conference.

“We went to get him and we know his value, but he must realize that if he hasn’t played for two years, there must be a reason,” said the former Italy manager bluntly. Spaletti then clarified his thinking: “He knows how to keep the ball, find space, he’s physically strong, but these are matches where he needs to score goals.”

The message is brutally clear for the former Paris player, who had seemed to find a second wind during his loan spell at Turin. Juventus did secure three points at Frosinone, but Spaletti clearly expects much more from his summer signing on the offensive front. Kolo Muani will need to deliver on the pitch in the coming fixtures if he wants to establish himself permanently in the Piedmont side’s starting eleven.