Spalletti faces thin squad and faltering attack as Juventus miss Champions League

Coach Luciano Spalletti entered the 2025-26 Serie A campaign with Juventus under high expectations after rescuing the club from Igor Tudor’s dismissal in match‑week eight of the previous season. Yet a 2‑2 draw with cross‑city rivals Torino on the final day saw the Bianconeri fall short of Champions League qualification, sparking immediate concern.

Early season expectations

Juventus’ board showed faith in Spalletti by extending his contract to June 2028 last April, but the club now sits sixth with eleven points, five behind league leaders Inter and Lazio who share the top spot on sixteen points. The current tally mirrors the early run that led to Tudor’s sacking, with both managers recording nine goals scored and five conceded after six matches.

Attacking woes and injuries

The summer signing of French striker Randal Kolo Muani for €41 million was meant to revive the attack; the 27‑year‑old managed only one goal in the opening six games, far below his eight‑goal, one‑assist return in 2024‑25. Fellow forward Nick Woltemade, on loan from Newcastle, has yet to score in four Serie A appearances, adding to the offensive stagnation.

Milik stays injured as Spalletti excludes him from Serie A

In midfield, Argentine Nico Gonzalez has been deployed as a second striker, while the lack of a clinical finisher persists. Injuries have further thinned the squad: Turkish prospect Kenan Yildiz, captain Manuel Locatelli, French midfielder Khephren Thuram, former Genoa forward Jeff Ekhator and winger Jeremie Boga are all unavailable.

Future challenges

Juventus have recorded only one win in their last four league fixtures, and the 14th consecutive match without a victory after conceding first underscores a lack of personality and resilience. Spalletti now prepares his side for a crucial clash with Lazio at the Allianz Stadium, a fixture that could determine whether the Bianconeri retain a place in next season’s Champions League.