Spalletti demands more from €38m Kolo Muani after Juventus opener

Luciano Spalletti has demanded a sharper response from Randal Kolo Muani after Juventus’ €38 million signing failed to capitalise on several opportunities in Sunday’s 1-0 Serie A win at Frosinone.

Kolo Muani started at the head of the Juventus attack but was unable to mark his permanent return with a goal. He had an early effort saved by Lorenzo Palmisani, fired another promising chance off target and narrowly failed to connect with a late Teun Koopmeiners delivery inside the six-yard box.

Gleison Bremer’s 22nd-minute header ultimately proved enough to give Juventus three points, but Spalletti made clear afterwards that he expects more from the France international.

Speaking to DAZN, the Juventus coach acknowledged Kolo Muani’s physical and technical qualities but added: “These are the sort of matches where he needs to score goals.”

The scrutiny reflects the significance of Juventus’ investment. The 27-year-old returned from Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month on a five-year contract in a deal worth €38 million, having previously scored 10 goals in 22 appearances during a loan spell in Turin.

He has been brought back following Dušan Vlahović’s departure to Beşiktaş and is expected to carry a substantial share of the scoring responsibility in Spalletti’s attack.

Sunday’s performance was not without encouraging signs. Kolo Muani repeatedly found dangerous positions and remained involved as Juventus created enough chances to win by a wider margin, but the lack of a finish left the opening-day spotlight on his efficiency rather than his movement.

Juventus next host Parma on Saturday, giving Kolo Muani an immediate opportunity to answer Spalletti’s challenge and turn promising involvement into the goals expected from the club’s new first-choice striker.