Spalletti: Juventus should be given credit for every Europa League win

Luciano Spalletti claimed Juventus should be given credit no matter who they beat in the Europa League, while saying his side showed courage against AZ.

Juventus continued their unbeaten start to their Europa League campaign with a 2-1 victory away to AZ, keeping them in the mix at the top of the table after four games.

Teun Koopmeiners and Randal Kolo Muani scored their goals in the first half, and Juventus held on for all three points despite Mexx Meerdink's late consolation.

Juve (11 goals in this Europa League) have scored more than 10 goals after the first four matches of a season in major European competition for the first time since 1999-2000 (14 in UEFA Cup).

And they have 10 points on the board at the halfway stage, having also beaten NEC (5-0) and Celta Vigo (2-1) earlier in the league phase.

Juventus were the favourites ahead of their clash with AZ and expected to win, but Spalletti pointed out that things are not always that simple out on the pitch.

"I am very satisfied, because we played well against a very strong team," Spalletti told Sky Sport Italia.

"I remember when all of you laughed in my face when we beat NEC 5-0; you acted as if they were a ridiculous team, but NEC now have seven points in the Europa League.

"So perhaps people need to re-evaluate how they consider us, humility, and giving credit to a team without just constantly wanting to put pressure on.

"When we win a game, people act as if it was because the opponents were weak, or finding some excuses. We played a strong game against a great team, and as we saw the moment our intensity dropped, they will take advantage.

"We've seen in the Champions League and Europa League, these sides might have a predictable way of doing things, but it becomes a strength when they can do it that many times.

"It is constantly hammering away at those situations; we were pinned back, worried about whether or not to push out from defence, and a through ball caused a goal.

"There were mad scrambles; if the game lasted for another three or four minutes, I don't think we would've taken the result home."

Juventus were largely in control, despite the hosts having double the number of shots (18 for AZ, nine for Juve). Both finished with three attempts on target apiece, however.

AZ also accumulated 2.2 expected goals (xG) to Juventus' 0.6 as they piled on the pressure towards the end, but Spalletti noted it was more important for his side to improve their attacking threat than how they defended a lead.

"What we needed to do was score a third goal," he added. "The way we played, we had to score a third goal there.

"When you win away to a team that hasn't lost at home in 17 European games, winning 14 of them, that is a sign you played with authority and quality. We showed the right courage."