Champions League
Darko Kovacevic Backs Juventus for Europa League Glory and Advises Move for Woltemade
Former Juventus striker Darko Kovacevic has labeled the Turin giants as frontrunners in the Europa League, while urging Luciano Spalletti to recruit a physical forward like Nick Woltemade and predicting an eventual return for Antonio Conte.
Oct 15, 2026, 9:11 AM | 1-2 min read | By Wadi Goal Editorial Team

Former Juventus center-forward Darko Kovacevic shared his thoughts on the current state of the club, evaluating their continental prospects and offering tactical recommendations for the forward line. Speaking about the continental campaign, the former Serbian international expressed strong belief in the Bianconeri, placing them firmly among the top contenders capable of claiming the Europa League trophy this season.
Assessing the squad's offensive structure, Kovacevic pointed out that coach Luciano Spalletti requires a commanding presence leading the attack. He argued that the Tuscan tactician would benefit greatly from deploying a traditional number nine matching his own historical characteristics inside the penalty area. When presenting an ideal candidate to fulfill that specific function, Kovacevic singled out Nick Woltemade as the profile the Italian side ought to pursue in the transfer market.
The conversation also drifted back to Kovacevic's playing era in Turin, bringing to light cautionary tales from past European journeys. In particular, he recalled the painful 4-0 away defeat suffered against Celta Vigo in the year 2000, a heavy reversal that abruptly brought an end to Juventus's run in the UEFA Cup. Using such vivid historical anecdotes, the former forward offered a clear warning to Spalletti regarding the hidden perils and ruthless demands of knockout competition on the continent.
Beyond tactical suggestions and European cautions, Kovacevic expressed immense admiration for young attacker Kenan Yildiz, heaping praise on the player's development. Looking toward the club's long-term future, he also made a bold prediction regarding Antonio Conte, insisting that the former Bianconeri midfielder and manager is destined to find his way back to the Juventus dugout sooner or later.
