Francisco Conceicao has denied reports of a tantrum or argument with Juventus staff after his substitution in the Bianconeri’s 2-1 Europa League comeback win at Celta Vigo.
The winger started in Spain, where Hugo Alvarez put Celta ahead before Nick Woltemade equalised. Reports described an angry reaction from Conceicao, including a claim that he struck the bench and went to the dressing room after speaking with a member of Luciano Spalletti’s staff. Conceicao’s account was different: he said he did not argue or speak with a staff member, and had gone inside briefly to change his shirt and use the bathroom before returning.
Francisco Conceicao in action for Juventus – Photo: Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images
He acknowledged hitting the area of the bench where he sits, but rejected the suggestion that this formed part of an altercation. The clarification was reported by Football Italia and Corriere della Sera. Randal Kolo Muani then scored in stoppage time to complete Juventus’ comeback.
Spalletti pointed to the performance
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Juventus had trailed at half-time, and Spalletti said his team had been late to the ball, challenges and runs. Football Italia reported that the coach also suggested Conceicao had reason to be frustrated with his own performance, while saying his staff denied any altercation.
The result kept Juventus’ Europa League record perfect after two matches. Conceicao said the team had responded strongly after the break, playing the way they do in training, and needed to carry that performance into their next games. His [**record of goals and assists for Juventus**](https://www.juvefc.com/francisco-conceicao-goals-assists/) remains a focus as he looks to contribute more in the final third.
Lazio next for Juventus
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The winger identified Lazio as the next test, saying Juventus know their opponents are in good shape. He added that the Bianconeri want to climb the Serie A table and take three points from the fixture.
For now, the episode is defined by the distinction between the reports and Conceicao’s own explanation: he acknowledged striking the bench area but denied a dispute with staff. The immediate focus shifts to Lazio, with Juventus seeking to build on the second-half response in Vigo.
Sergio Lattanzi has followed Juventus since the days of the Trap, when Serie A felt like the centre of the football world and the Bianconeri were its undisputed rulers. Born and raised in Turin, he developed an early obsession with the tactical patterns that made Juventus so difficult to beat, and that curiosity never left him. He watches matches with a notepad nearby and a tendency to rewind passages of play more times than anyone around him considers reasonable.