One of Luciano Spalletti’s main selection dilemmas ahead of Pisa vs Juventus centres on the number nine position. With Dusan Vlahovic still sidelined, the question remains: who will lead the attack — Jonathan David, Lois Openda, or perhaps both?
The Battle for the Central Role
Since Vlahovic’s injury, Spalletti has alternated between his two forwards. At Bologna, he gave Jonathan David a starting opportunity, while in the most recent game against Roma, it was Lois Openda who got the nod — and delivered a strong performance. This ongoing rotation looks set to continue for much of the season.
For the trip to Pisa, Spalletti will also assess the physical condition of other attacking players, which could influence his final decision and even lead to a tactical surprise.
Openda and David: Different Strengths
IlBianconero report that, If performances on the pitch are the only indicator, Openda has likely earned another start. The Belgian impressed not only by scoring against Roma but also with his overall movement and intensity — stretching the opposition’s defence and fully executing what Spalletti asked of him.
David, however, brings a more associative style of play, linking midfield and attack with clever positioning and passing. Spalletti’s decision will likely come down to what kind of game he expects against Pisa — whether speed and depth (Openda) or control and combination play (David) will be more effective.
What to Expect
It’s still unclear whether Spalletti has made up his mind. Pisa have caused problems for several top sides this season with their brave and high-energy approach, especially at home. For that reason, Openda’s pace on the counter may give him the edge. The Belgian is currently the favourite to start, which would mark his second consecutive appearance in the starting eleven. Still, David remains hopeful of reclaiming his place from the first minute.
The Double Striker Temptation
There are also doubts surrounding other attacking options. Francisco Conceição is struggling with a minor muscle issue picked up against Roma, while Edon Zhegrova has been recovering from illness but is expected to be available.
Kenan Yildiz is a certain starter, but Spalletti may be tempted to experiment in attack — even with a double striker system. The idea of pairing David and Openda together from the start hasn’t yet been tried, though the coach hasn’t ruled it out completely in recent weeks.
For now, the option seems more likely as an in-game adjustment rather than a starting setup, but it remains an intriguing possibility — both for the Pisa match and for Juventus’ future attacking plans.
