The Luciano Spalletti era at Juventus has yet to deliver the bounce many expected. In five Serie A matches under the coach from Certaldo, the Bianconeri have managed only two victories – against Cremonese and Cagliari – while drawing with Torino and Fiorentina and suffering a defeat to Napoli. The latest slip at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona has heightened doubts about the team’s direction, both in terms of results and style.
Calciomercato report how, following the loss in Naples, Spalletti’s post-match comments hinted at dissatisfaction and possible tactical changes ahead of the upcoming Champions League fixture against Pafos. “We’ve played a few games now, made a few tests… it’s time to start drawing some conclusions,” he remarked – words that sound like a clear warning to several underperforming players.
Structural Changes Under Consideration
Spalletti is reportedly considering a shift to a four-man defence, a system he prefers. Such a move, however, hinges on the return of Bremer. Until then, Juventus are likely to persist with the 3-4-2-1 setup, though key figures in midfield appear increasingly at risk of losing their places. Among them are Khephren Thuram and Manuel Locatelli.
Thuram has struggled to find his rhythm this season and appears ill-suited to the possession-based football Spalletti demands. Locatelli, too, has endured a patchy run of form, failing to provide the consistency and creativity expected of him in midfield. Both could find themselves sidelined if performances do not improve soon.
Miretti on the Rise
Fabio Miretti, meanwhile, seems to have regained the manager’s trust. The young midfielder was handed starts against Udinese in the Coppa Italia and Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League, and has made substitute appearances in the league against Fiorentina, Cagliari, and Napoli. His energy, tactical discipline, and ball circulation make him a strong candidate to play a bigger role as Spalletti looks for balance in the centre of the pitch.
His display against Udinese – composed, energetic, and intelligent – impressed both fans and the coaching staff, suggesting he could feature more prominently in the coming weeks.
Uncertainty in Attack
Up front, Kenan Yildiz remains the only guaranteed starter. With seven goals and five assists in 19 appearances across all competitions, the 20-year-old has cemented his role as Juventus’ main attacking reference point. Yet, Spalletti faces a dilemma over his supporting cast.
The partnership between Yildiz and Francisco Conceição has yet to click, leading the coach to explore alternatives. One option could see Weston McKennie moved further forward to play alongside Yildiz, with either Jonathan David or Loïs Openda used as a central striker. In that case, the young Turkish forward would shift to the left, while Conceição could find his playing time reduced significantly.
A Squad at a Crossroads
With Juventus struggling for both fluency and results, Spalletti appears ready to shake things up. The coming fixtures – starting with Wednesday’s Champions League clash – could prove decisive for several players’ futures in the starting eleven. For some, it might be the final chance to convince the manager; for others, like Miretti, it could be the opportunity to finally secure a firmer place in Juventus’ evolving new order.
