His moment has finally arrived — and Juventus supporters could not be happier. After months of setbacks, Edon Zhegrova is set to make his first start for the Bianconeri in tonight’s Champions League clash against Pafos, marking the end of what has been a truly turbulent year for the talented winger.
IlBianconero report how Luciano Spalletti confirmed the news yesterday, revealing that the Kosovo international will start in the attacking midfield line alongside Kenan Yildiz, just behind centre-forward Jonathan David. After experimenting with a “false nine” setup in the defeat to Napoli, Spalletti is expected to revert to a more traditional attacking formation, banking on Zhegrova’s creativity and flair to inject freshness into the front line.
Limited Game Time So Far
Since joining Juventus late in the transfer window, Zhegrova has been limited to just 100 minutes of football — all from substitute appearances. Persistent groin problems forced him to undergo surgery, delaying his integration into the squad. That physical struggle extended from his time at Lille, where his final months were marred by fitness issues, preventing him from maintaining consistency and rhythm.
Tonight, the Bianconeri faithful are eager to finally see what the 25-year-old can offer when fully fit — a player signed specifically to add quality, pace and unpredictability to Spalletti’s attacking options.
His Last Start: A Year Ago
Zhegrova’s last appearance as a starter dates back almost exactly a year — 14 December 2024 — when he lined up for Lille against Marseille in a Ligue 1 encounter that ended 1-1. That night, he managed only 45 minutes before being forced off due to recurring discomfort, which signalled the beginning of a long and painful recovery period.
Since then, his journey back to full health has been slow but steady, and tonight’s match offers the perfect opportunity to reintroduce him at the highest level.
The “Zeppettina” Returns
Fans and analysts often talk about Zhegrova’s trademark move — the “zeppettina”, as Spalletti colourfully describes it. It’s a quick, almost South American-style shimmy that allows him to glide past markers with sharp changes of direction at full speed. If he can rediscover that spark, Juventus may have at their disposal a new source of flair and dynamism, something the squad has sorely lacked in recent weeks.
As he steps onto the pitch tonight at the Allianz Stadium, Zhegrova will have the chance not just to make a statement, but to reignite a career that many have been waiting to see flourish in black and white.
