Luciano Spalletti is already sketching out the blueprint for his new Juventus. With the team set to face Fiorentina away next week, the Bianconeri will return to training tomorrow. The international break offers the coach time to refine his ideas, even as several key players are away with their national teams. From Jonathan David to Loïs Openda and Andrea Cambiaso, Spalletti will be keeping a close eye on his “special observers” during this period. Meanwhile, those who remain in Turin will continue working at Continassa, giving Spalletti the chance to begin shaping his Juventus in earnest.
IlBianconero detail how, after an initial phase spent maintaining continuity with Igor Tudor’s system, Spalletti is reportedly considering a tactical shift to a 4-3-3 formation—something he has hinted at publicly. Early signs of “Spalletti’s touch” have already appeared, especially in his use of Teun Koopmeiners, suggesting that several players could soon see their roles evolve.
Miretti’s New Opportunity
One of Spalletti’s most versatile options in midfield is Fabio Miretti. In the season opener against Sporting, the 2003-born midfielder came on for the final half hour as a deep-lying regista and impressed with his poise and decision-making. Juventus have well-documented difficulties in midfield, and Spalletti’s quest to find a player who can dictate play could lead him to trust Miretti before seeking reinforcements in the market. With no major January overhaul expected, the coach might look inward to strengthen from within.
The Koopmeiners Question
Spalletti’s surprise decision to use Koopmeiners as a defender has raised eyebrows throughout Turin—even catching the attention of the newly appointed CEO, Damien Comolli, who expressed his admiration for the experiment. However, this is unlikely to be the Dutchman’s long-term role. Given his technical qualities and importance to the team, Spalletti may prefer to position him either in front of the defence in a 4-2-3-1 setup or in a slightly deeper midfield role within the 4-3-3 he is currently developing.
Wingers and Full-Backs
The wide players, used differently so far in terms of positioning and playing time, could also be redefined under Spalletti’s adjustments. In a 4-3-3, the team would feature two wingers operating closer to the striker. On the left, Kenan Yildiz looks well suited to the role, with Filip Kostic providing a reliable alternative. On the right flank, Francisco Conceição and Edon Zhegrova could share duties depending on tactical needs.
Should Spalletti decide to deploy a 4-2-3-1 instead, their responsibilities would remain similar to the current structure, though both the Portuguese and Kosovan attackers may occasionally drift into central supporting positions behind the lone forward.
Andrea Cambiaso is another player whose flexibility offers valuable tactical depth. Capable of dropping deeper to play as a left-back, Cambiaso remains effective in pushing forward when required—a trait that made a telling difference in the recent match at Cremona.
