With the new Serie A season just around the corner, Juventus faces an uncharacteristically lean squad, yet there are signs of optimism as they prepare for their opening match against Como at the Allianz Stadium on Monday night. The spotlight will be on Kenan Yildiz, who is set to wear the iconic number 10 jersey, while Arkadiusz Milik’s availability remains uncertain as he continues to train separately.
Juventus has not entered a new campaign with such a limited roster in years, and while transfer market activity is ongoing, it appears that sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli will have to work with what he has for now. Thiago Motta’s vision for the team will need to take shape quickly, with the squad adopting a 4-1-4-1 formation that was frequently tested during pre-season friendlies.
Goalkeeper Matteo Di Gregorio is poised to make his debut in goal for Juventus. In terms of defense, the backline is expected to include Bremer, Danilo, Gatti, and Cambiaso. While Cambiaso is likely to start as left-back, there’s ongoing speculation about who will partner Bremer in central defense. Thiago Motta’s desire for a center-back who can maneuver freely could see Danilo take that role, with Gatti potentially shifting to right-back if needed. The club’s interest in Kalulu is fueled by this tactical flexibility.
In midfield, the setup is likely to feature Marcus Thuram in a deeper role, with Douglas Luiz and Manuel Locatelli expected to play closer to the forward, Dusan Vlahovic. To maintain balance and aid in regaining possession, Timothy Weah and Yildiz will play crucial roles. Weah is eager to build confidence before competition for his position heats up, while Yildiz is keen to celebrate his new contract and the significance of wearing number 10.
As the clock ticks down to their season opener, Juventus fans will be watching closely to see how this makeshift lineup performs and whether the club can deliver a strong start to the new campaign despite the challenges.
