Juventus’ shock loss exposes seven flaws under Spalletti

Juventus returned from a shock defeat at Sassuolo’s ground, yet the loss does not yet signal a full‑blown crisis; instead it underlines a series of weaknesses that have already plagued the Bianconeri in the opening four Serie A fixtures under Luciano Spalletti.

Defensive frailties and tactical confusion

The defence has struggled to find cohesion, with Vicario already showing more promise than Di Gregorio in the early matches, but the Bremer‑Lucumí partnership still lacks synchronisation. Gatti’s high‑pressing style clashes with Spalletti’s preference for a low block, while Celik provides energy on the flank. Cambiaso remains a mystery after his injury, and Kalulu alternates between solid displays and worrying empty passes, as seen at the Mapei Stadium Su the Sassuolo pitch.

Midfield and attack shortcomings

Injuries have decimated the midfield, with Locatelli and Thuram both sidelined for long periods, leaving Douglas Luiz as the sole bright spot in the early season. Koopmeiners, McKennie – still hampered by a muscle problem – and Sarr have struggled to make an impact, and attempts to sell the costly Brazilian and Dutch midfielders have largely failed. Up front, the side lacks a genuine centre‑forward; Milik is absent from the UEFA and Serie A lists, while Kolo Muani and Woltemade do not fit the traditional striker mould despite their high profiles.

Carnevali praised Spalletti, saying, "È un allenatore straordinario, uno dei migliori in assoluto. Cambiare allenatore non è nel mio spirito, dobbiamo cercare di programmare e costruire, bisogna dare del tempo e avere pazienza, sapendo che dovrà ingoiare bocconi amari," after the Sassuolo loss.

After three months of inactivity and a busy transfer window, the feeling around Juve is that the squad feels identical to last season’s, despite numerous new faces. The team displays little personality, with tactical ideas appearing confused and poorly executed, and it suffers from notable technical and character limitations.

On the wings, Juventus boasts an abundance of options, from the revitalised Zhegrova – who scored a brace against Sassuolo – to the recovered Nico Gonzalez, the energetic Conceicao, the promising Alajbegovic and the reliable Boga, now sidelined with injury. This wealth of alternatives sometimes leads to questionable substitution choices, such as the simultaneous removal of Zhegrova and Woltemade after the Sassuolo win.

The contrast between the shock defeat and the unchanged feel of the squad superficial changes have not addressed the deeper structural issues. Without a clear identity and cohesive tactical plan, Juventus risks repeating past under‑performance as the season progresses.