Luciano Spalletti believes Juventus are a long way off from challenging for the Serie A title, insisting their aim is to qualify for the Champions League.

Spalletti took over at Juventus in October 2025, replacing Igor Tudor, with the Bianconeri struggling for consistency in the last few seasons.

Juventus finished the 2025-26 campaign down in sixth, missing out on the Champions League places by two points after winning just one of their last five matches (D3 L1).

This will be the first season since 2023-24 that Juventus have not appeared in UEFA's premier competition, though their last two participations have seen them exit in the knockout-stage play-off.

Spalletti is confident Juventus can secure a Champions League spot again in the upcoming season, but he does not expect his side to challenge for their first league title since 2019-20.

"I found the team aware of what we were unable to achieve last season, but equally aware of our capabilities and what we can do this term," Spalletti said in his press conference.

"There have been quality performances to give us that belief, but at the same time, also some performances below par. We've got to work on those defects.

"I too think about what I could've done better, and we all know that we need something different. It was a tough summer because our results affect everything, including our personal lives.

"We are on the right track, but we've got to pick up the pace, because Juventus cannot be left behind.

"We didn't achieve our result last season, but it wasn't a campaign to throw away, as we also did a lot well. We've got to keep the same level of mentality, performance and quality all the way through.

"I am convinced that if we work the right way, we can compete to qualify for the Champions League. We want to challenge for the top of the table, to qualify for the Champions League, but when it comes to talking about the Scudetto, we're quite distant from that target."

Juventus have already brought in Zeki Celik from Roma as a free agent and Jeff Ekhator from Genoa as they look to add reinforcements to the squad.

They lost Dusan Vlahovic at the end of last season, as he came to the end of his contract, and reports suggest they are also in the market for a goalkeeper, as Juventus look to compete in Serie A again.

"There is work to be done, but I am confident it will be done," Spalletti added. "Our desire is to fill the gaps in this squad where players are missing, and we are all in sync on the direction to take.

"I did my job with Vlahovic, which was to evaluate his technical qualities, but the economic discussion is not my purview.

"I haven't spoken to him since the season ended, but he knows my thoughts. Our directors always have the door open."