Giuntoli takes a swipe at Juventus over ‘his’ Nico Gonzalez, Koopmeiners and Douglas Luiz: “Very happy for them”

Atalanta sporting director, formerly with Juventus, speaks out.

Cristiano Giuntoli, now Atalanta’s sporting director, briefly referred to some of ‘his’ Juventus players during Franck Kessie’s unveiling press conference when he was asked about their impressive start to the season: “I’m very happy for them, they are showing their value. But honestly, I am thinking about Atalanta: I think about the Atalanta of today and the one they will have to become from morning to night.” Giuntoli, who was at Juventus from 2023 to 2025, was speaking about Nico Gonzalez, Koopmeiners and Douglas Luiz, the players he brought in during his spell in Turin.

On Atalanta’s incoming transfer business

“We started with a key player, an Italian playmaker like Gaetano, who we felt could be the missing part of the puzzle. Then we moved for Kristensen, after the unexpected departure of Djimsiti, which was something he himself wanted: we signed him from Udinese. After that came Elmas, who we believe can become a very important player.”

On De Roon and Kessie

“What happened was that De Roon asked to leave, he wanted to go to Roma, and we acted quickly for Franck, who we think can be a very important part of the new project.”

On Rowe

“In the end, we moved for Rowe, who we believe can be the final key piece in this 4-3-3 system.”