Since arriving in Turin, Kalulu has sought to establish himself as a leader in the backline, focusing on the tactical nuances required to outsmart Europe’s elite attackers. His return to the side following his domestic suspension was a reminder of his importance, even if the collective performance in Istanbul left much to be desired.
“I want to continue like this. Only the pitch gives you legitimacy even in the eyes of your teammates. Opponents must be studied to push them to do what they are not used to doing. You have to know how to anticipate them by two or three moves, a bit like in chess. The goal is to be the best and not just defend well,” Kalulu noted. He remains firm that the team must take responsibility for their errors, stating: “No, you can't hide behind fatigue when facing a Champions League match. Tonight it went like this, it's very difficult to understand what happened but we need to hold our heads high and do better.”