Kalulu Reflects on Recent Struggles Amidst Juventus Setbacks

omidbasir- Kalulu received a red card just before half-time during the match against Inter after being shown a second yellow card for a challenge on Bastoni, who fell to the ground during the incident. The Inter defender immediately appealed to the referee, alleging that Kalulu had pulled his shirt to bring him down. However, television replays did not show any clear contact between the two players.

Despite the controversy, Inter secured a dramatic 3-2 victory, extending their lead at the top of the table to eight points with a total of 61 points. In contrast, Juventus remains in fifth place with 46 points from 25 matches.

The aftermath of the Derby d’Italia has been marked by tension, but Bastoni attempted to diffuse the situation by publicly apologizing for exaggerating the contact. When asked about the Inter defender’s gesture, Kalulu chose to focus on the future rather than dwell on a decision that could not be reversed. “I haven’t seen what he said; the match is over now, we must look ahead and not think about it anymore. It’s a shame,” Kalulu expressed, clearly frustrated by how the suspension impacted his rhythm and the team’s momentum.

The 24-year-old admitted that the incident had taken an emotional toll in the days leading up to Juventus’s European commitments. Reflecting on his mental state following the controversial dismissal, he commented, “I was very nervous after this episode; it’s better to talk little because saying too much serves no purpose. I need to focus on the pitch; there are others who can address these matters.”

Kalulu’s return to the starting lineup did not go as planned, as Juventus faced a heavy 5-2 defeat against Galatasaray in the Champions League. The match was a defensive nightmare for the Italian giants, who struggled to contain the Turkish side’s relentless attacking pressure. Despite having a full squad for the majority of the game, the Bianconeri appeared unusually vulnerable at the back, a stark contrast to their previously disciplined performances, raising concerns about the team’s defensive depth.

In analyzing their collapse in Turkey, Kalulu pointed to individual mistakes rather than tactical failures or superior opposition play. “The goals always come from our own mistakes; it happens, but the most difficult aspect was the second half: even with the red card, we should not concede so many chances,” he noted. “We need to understand what went wrong; tonight is behind us, and in football, one must quickly refocus for upcoming matches.”

With an increasingly congested fixture schedule, questions arose about whether the physical demands of high-stakes football were affecting the Juventus squad’s performance. However, the former Lyon youth product firmly rejected the notion that exhaustion could justify such a heavy defeat in a prestigious European competition. He emphasized, “You can’t hide behind fatigue during a Champions League match. Tonight was challenging, and while it’s difficult to comprehend what happened, we need to keep our heads high and improve.”

The defeat in Istanbul leaves Juventus with significant work to do to secure a favorable position in the playoff tie. The controversy from the Inter match, coupled with the disappointing outcome against Galatasaray, has resulted in a challenging period for the team. Nevertheless, Kalulu remains confident in the squad’s character to bounce back and combat the criticism in the forthcoming weeks.

As Juventus navigates this turbulent phase, Kalulu’s integration into the heart of the defense remains a crucial narrative. Despite the drama involving Bastoni and the ensuing apology adding layers of intrigue to the season, Kalulu is determined to let his performances on the pitch define him instead of the headlines off it. With pivotal fixtures approaching, the Bianconeri will rely on Kalulu’s composure and leadership to stabilize a backline that has recently come under scrutiny.