With the former coach on the bench, the Bianconeri have made progress in terms of play and results, but have not yet managed to find a completely defined physiognomy. Upon closer inspection, however, a backbone is evident
A blender. Although Spalletti’s arrival has given more stability and results, so much so that the coach has earned a contract renewal to be made official in the next few days and the investiture of John Elkann, Juventus is unable to find a defined physiognomy. In the current season, out of 42 official matches played, the Bianconeri have lined up with 39 different teams and only in the last period (against Udinese and Sassuolo, but with different tactics) have they managed to propose the same eleven in two consecutive matches. A figure ominously equal to what Thiago Motta recorded at the time of his dismissal, almost exactly a year ago.
Juve, what has changed from Tudor to Spalletti
—
Clearly, in this Juventus 2025-26 characterized by discontinuity, the change of technical leadership after 11 matches cannot fail to have played a role: from Tudor to Spalletti, in fact, the reference formation (from 3-4-2-1 to 4-2-3-1, although the former coach also proposed 3-4-3 and 4-3-3) and hierarchies changed. But not only that: some long-term injuries (Bremer and Vlahovic above all) and suspensions were also decisive, which contributed to increasing the number of changes made in the starting eleven. But the fact remains: 39 different teams in 42 matches are a symptom of the lack of certainties achieved and of the continuous search for balance and identity.
the few certainties of shoulder pads
—
In truth, upon closer inspection, a backbone in Juve can be identified, highlighting those players who have had more opportunities to start as starters. At the top of the table is Kalulu (41 games), followed by McKennie and Yildiz (37), Locatelli (36), Cambiaso and Kelly (35) and Thuram (33). With the exception of the case of the American, who went from acting as a right winger in midfield with the Croatian to an attacking midfielder with the former coach, to becoming the current hybrid, the others have had a fair continuity of use and positioning and can represent a starting point in the construction of Juve 2026-27. All the other roles in which multiple interpreters have alternated, however, can be identified as those to be strengthened.
Juve, how many different formations
—
Net of Bremer’s injury, without which the Brazilian would also have been present in this ranking, and the change in the goalkeeping hierarchy that took place in mid-February, with Perin overtaking Di Gregorio, the continuous change in the center forward role stands out regarding the next transfer market: David started 23 times, Vlahovic 10 and Openda 8, while the experiments with the false nine saw Boga on the pitch twice from the start and Yildiz and McKennie once each. Upon closer inspection, however, there was a moment in this season in which Juve seemed to have found its definitive physiognomy: between January and February, when, in 5 out of 8 matches, Spalletti fielded identical formations. Against Lecce, Napoli and Parma a 4-2-3-1 with Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer Kelly, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Thuram; Conceiçao, McKennie, Yildiz; David. And against Cremonese and Benfica an identical team for 10 elevenths with the only inclusion of Miretti in place of the Portuguese winger. There were 4 wins and a draw. Then, a few too many knockouts (Bremer and Kelly), disqualifications (Kalulu above all) and the fact of playing every three days forced the Juve coach to restart the mixer. Until the recipe for the last 180 minutes against Udinese and Sassuolo, with the same eleven men, but lined up once with 3-4-3 and the other with 4-3-3: the Juve blender hasn’t finished spinning yet…
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
