Socrates

Serie A Preview: Juventus vs Lazio – Team News, Lineups & Prediction Juventus ran riot in their last two Serie A outings, beating Napoli and Parma via three-goal margins to break into the top four. However, a narrow two-point lead over fifth-placed Roma puts the Bianconeri in a must-win situation if they’re to cling on to the final UEFA Champions League qualifying spot. Despite their impressive league form, Juventus failed to live up to the billing in midweek Coppa Italia action, slipping to a dreadful 3-0 defeat at Atalanta. Manager Luciano Spalletti will expect a firm response from his side here, as the record-time Italian champions seek revenge for a 1-0 defeat in October’s reverse fixture. ............ Match Preview Juventus Spalletti’s side dismantled reigning champions Napoli 3-0 in their last league outing in Turin, preserving their unbeaten home record in Serie A this season (W7, D4). Except for a shocking 1-1 draw against Lecce at the start of the calendar year, Juventus have won four of their last five league games at this stadium. Lazio’s upcoming visit is unlikely to threaten Juventus’ dominance on home turf, given that they’ve won their last five meetings in Turin. However, Thursday’s mauling in Bergamo may have derailed a feel-good factor at the Allianz Stadium, though it marked only Spalletti’s third defeat in 21 matches in charge of the club. Adding to this sentiment, only table-topping Inter (33) have netted more home goals than Juventus’ 23 this term. Furthermore, they’re one of only two Serie A sides to have scored at least ten first-half goals on home turf, highlighting the potential for a high-flying start from the top-four-bidding hosts. Lazio ............ Team News Juventus’ long-term injury crisis seems to have finally subsided, with Arkadiusz Milik and Dusan Vlahovic remaining the only two high-profile absentees. As such, Jonathan David is likely to lead the line once again, with Lois Openda expected to start on the bench. Despite suffering minor injury problems on Thursday, Lloyd Kelly and Francisco Conceicao will be at Spalletti’s disposal. On the other hand, Lazio will visit Turin without several first-team stalwarts, including captain Mattia Zaccagni and starting wingback Manuel Lazzari. Samuel Gigot is also in the pits, while Luca Pellegrini must serve a yellow-card suspension. Winter signings Kenneth Taylor and Daniel Maldini are in line for their maiden league starts for the club. Juventus vs Lazio Potential Starting Lineups Juventus (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Thuram; McKennie, Miretti, Yildiz; David. Lazio (4-3-3): Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Tavares; Basic, Cataldi, Taylor; Isaksen, Maldini, Pedro. Juventus vs Lazio Prediction With the last four Serie A meetings between Juventus and Lazio producing just five goals, it’s only reasonable to expect a low-scoring contest. The hosts have thrived in such an environment, and we back them to extend their winning run in the league with a narrow victory. Prediction: Juventus to Win . Read more -> https://cultofcalcio.com/serie-a-preview-juventus-vs-lazio-team-news-lineups-prediction/

Round 24: Juventus vs. Lazio match preview Through the first five weeks of 2026, there has been very little time for Juventus players and coaches to collect their collective breath. That is especially true of these past few weeks where midweek fixtures have been a constant and Luciano Spalletti has had maneuver through things in multiple competitions while having a squad that is not exactly flush with depth. So as Juventus hit their last fixture before they get — gasp! — nearly a week off in between games, we’re left to wonder just how much the Bianconeri have left in the tank after their (late) midweek Coppa Italia disappointment in Bergamo. As the second Derby d’Italia against league leaders Inter Milan looms in the distance a week from now, the immediate test comes against a Lazio squad that has seen plenty of frustration filter throughout the club both before and during the 2025-26 season. Sunday night’s matchup at the Allianz Stadium comes against an opponent in Lazio that put the final nail in Igor Tudor’s coffin back in late-October with a 1-0 victory over Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. A lot has happened in November, December, January and the first week of February since Juventus last faced Lazio, ousted Tudor and subsequently brought in Spalletti. A lot of it has been good, but there’s been a decent amount of those “not great” moments we’ve seen a good amount of the time from the Bianconeri over the last few years. ............ So all of three days after being eliminated from the Coppa, it’s now time to face a Lazio squad that has seen a few changes happen over the course of the winter transfer window after their summer embargo prevented them from doing any sort of business. Lazio enter Matchday 24 sitting in eighth place and well off the pace for a European qualification spot. However, here’s something important to remember when it comes to this matchup: Juventus, following their Coppa Italia quarterfinal against Atalanta, last played on Thursday. Lazio, meanwhile, has yet to play a game in February, having last taken the field in their wild 3-2 win over Genoa on Jan. 30. So, go ahead and do the quick math, folks. Come Sunday, Juventus will have last played three days ago. Lazio, though? Well, they last played nine days ago. Nine! That’s nearly a week and a half worth of rest. That’s nearly a week more of rest than the team they will be playing at the Allianz Stadium. Juventus will have played two full games since the last time Lazio played. ............ Considering Juventus are short on depth even when they are full strength, it’s not like Spalletti has a whole lot of options to choose from. Even with so many games over the last three or four weeks, Spalletti hasn’t done much rotating his squad. All of his best players, no matter how many minutes they have had on their leg before 2026 arrived, have played the majority of the minutes. We are still waiting for Pierre Kalulu to actually not play a full 90 minutes this season — and we’re entering the third fixture of February. That feels like almost as much of a test as facing a desperate Lazio itself. Just how much that Juve have in the tank entering Sunday night’s game is going to be a real key point of emphasis to pay attention to as the minutes tick away both before and after halftime at the Allianz. Lazio are basically in the same place in the table now as they were when they faced Juventus the first time. ............ Even with the loss to Atalanta midweek, Juventus have been playing well on the whole. Now they have a still-inconsistent Lazio squad coming to Turin as both teams look to get an important three points for their respective objectives. With no more Coppa Italia, solidifying their spot in the top four might probably turns into even more of a priority for Spalletti than before. They got the help they needed from Udinese earlier in the week against Roma and now have fourth place all to themselves. It’s now about what they do with it. Can Juventus keep it for themselves, or will this be another slip-up that makes the Coppa Italia quarterfinal loss look more than just a one-off against a good like like Atalanta. TEAM NEWS Spalletti, unlike ahead of Thursday night’s visit to Bergamo, did hold a pre-match press conference on Saturday. The fact that he’s pretty much picking and choosing when to actually speak to the Italian media before games is making me laugh a little bit. (But also makes this section a little more difficult to do.) After not taking part in Thursday’s loss to Atalanta in the Coppa Italia, Spalletti confirmed that Kenan Yildiz and big smile as a result of his brand new contract will return to the lineup to face Lazio. Yildiz asked to be subbed off at halftime in last weekend’s win over Parma due to a minor overload issue that was likely the result of fatigue of his heavy workload this season. Spalletti said that both Francisco Conceição and Lloyd Kelly have trained separately following Thursday’s loss to Atalanta in the Coppa Italia and need further evaluation to see if they will be capable of playing in Sunday’s game against Lazio. ............ Two Juventus players are one yellow card away from having to serve a one-game suspension: Manuel Locatelli and Weston McKennie. Considering Juventus’ next opponent in Serie A is Inter, this feels like an important thing to remember for both players who have been key pieces to Spalletti’s success at Juventus. JUVENTUS PLAYER TO WATCH Considering the fact that Spalletti has gone with a lot of the same players in his recent starting lineups, I was going to go ahead and talk about a certain French midfielder who has had a couple of off games just when it looked like he was starting to kick on form-wise. ............ Yildiz was a part of the traveling squad to Bergamo ahead of the Coppa Italia quarterfinals. He was on the bench. Heck, he was even warming up during the second half and looking he could even be a late sub before things got completely out of reach and Atalanta went on to stretch their lead beyond 1-0. Maybe it was all part of the plan by Spalletti to try and do a bit of a deke and make Raffaele Palladino think a little bit more than he already was. But there’s no question as to whether Yildiz will be taking the field on Sunday night. And as I type this out, I can only imagine what kind of reception he will be getting when he is first announced or the first few times on the ball knowing what has just taken place earlier this weekend when it comes to committing his future to a club that he truly loves. ............ You know Yildiz will be fired up to be back on the field after missing out on Thursday’s loss to Atalanta. Plus, you know he will be fired up to have a big-time performance the day after he signed his big new contract as well. The young man only be 20 years old, but he is well aware of the moment and his place in it. What a better way to say he is worth of said new contract and the big pay raise that comes with it than to help Juventus to a big three points at a time in which they’re looking to get back on track after a tough loss. One game against eighth-place Lazio won’t define just how worthy Yildiz is of this new contract. But you better believe he wants to start this run of his new contract a lot like he did with the last one he signed about 18 months ago. MATCH INFO When: Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. Where: Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy. Official kickoff time: 8:45 p.m. local time in Italy and across Europe, 7:45 p.m. in the United Kingdom, 2:45 p.m. Eastern time, 1:45 p.m. Central time, 11:45 a.m. Pacific time. ............ . Read more -> https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/previews-reviews/36219/juventus-lazio-2026-serie-a-matchday-24-preview-team-news-schedule-how-to-watch

Spalletti confirms Yildiz is available, but two Juventus stars risk missing Lazio clash Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti provided a positive update on Kenan Yildiz ahead of Sunday’s contest against Lazio. Saturday was an eventful day at Continassa, as the 20-year-old Turkish star finally signed a new and improved contract that ties him to the Turin-based giants until June 2030. Spalletti, who had often sung the youngster’s praise, took the opportunity to explain the importance of renewing the contract of the club’s most influential attacker. “We all dressed like this because it’s an important day for Juventus’ future,” joked the 66-year-old as he began his pre-match press conference on. ............ “But each of us is focused on our own priority. Mine has to be preparing matches properly. Juventus needs to sort out a few things, as it did today, which are fundamental for the future; it has to discuss expiring contracts. Mine is one of them, but I came with the intention of leaving the choice to the club. “There are still matches to be played that can easily change everyone’s opinion; in football, you do things calmly, without chasing anything. “I speak often with Elkann, who is always very close to the club and very involved in the desire to keep getting stronger. With him close to us, we feel even stronger.” ............ “Yildiz is available; today, he completed the full training session with the team.” ............ “Conceição and Kelly trained separately. We’ll assess them on Sunday because so little time has passed that it’s better to evaluate them in the morning.” . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/luciano-spalletti-kenan-yildiz-juventus-lazio/

Maurizio Sarri seems worried about Juventus’ intensity Maurizio Sarri is preparing his Lazio side for a crucial Serie A clash against Juventus this weekend, a fixture his team know they need to win. The match comes at an important moment in the season, with both sides having clear objectives as the campaign progresses. Juventus will be eager to return to winning ways at the Allianz Stadium following their shock defeat to Atalanta. With their Coppa Italia journey over and expectations limited in the Champions League, the Bianconeri are now fully focused on league matters. This places even greater importance on their domestic performances in the weeks ahead. ............ To remain in contention for the top four, Juventus must keep winning, starting with their upcoming test against Lazio. On paper, it is a fixture many believe Juventus can win, especially given the intensity and confidence they have displayed in recent outings. Their ability to combine physical strength with tactical discipline has made them a difficult opponent for any side. ............ Sarri has already acknowledged the challenge his team faces, expressing concern about Juventus’ recent performances. He offered a detailed assessment of the Bianconeri’s strengths and the task awaiting Lazio. He said, “It’s a tough match, there’s no doubt about that. I’ve never seen Juventus with the intensity we’ve seen in the last month, they have great quality and the ability to counter attack after losing the ball. The defeat against Atalanta is debatable, they didn’t play badly, but I saw the same team in great physical and mental health. It will be a tough match physically, and going to that stadium also makes it difficult mentally. The only positive aspect is that in football, no one wins by default.” ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/maurizio-sarri-seems-worried-about-juventus-intensity/

La stessa panchina di Boniperti e Del Piero. Auguri Kenan!

Juventus vs SS Lazio: Preview and Prediction Juventus return to Serie A action on Sunday evening looking for an immediate correction against Lazio after a sobering midweek setback. Their Coppa Italia exit halted a run of growing confidence in Turin, and this meeting with Lazio arrives at a moment where response and control matter just as much as the result itself. Under Luciano Spalletti, Juventus have quietly rebuilt momentum over the past two months. Seven wins from their last nine league matches, accompanied by 21 goals, underline a side rediscovering attacking fluency without losing defensive structure. Only Inter Milan have collected more victories in that period, a return that has lifted Juve into the top four and secured passage into the Champions League knockout rounds. For a team still adjusting to tactical refinements and squad evolution, the trajectory has been largely positive. That progress, however, was abruptly checked in Bergamo. After comfortably dispatching Parma in the league, a match highlighted by a rare brace from Bremer, Juventus were outplayed and outmuscled by Atalanta in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals. The 3-0 defeat was decisive, denying them a potential semi-final meeting with Lazio and exposing vulnerabilities when intensity levels rise sharply. Now back at the Allianz Stadium, Juventus will lean on a formidable home record when they take on Lazio. They remain one of only two sides yet to lose a Serie A match on home soil this season, alongside Napoli, and have conceded just eight league goals in Turin. Recent meetings with Lazio also favour the hosts, with three straight home victories suggesting familiarity with how to manage this particular opponent. ............ With a Derby d’Italia against Inter and a Champions League playoff looming, Juventus cannot afford hesitation. Lazio, meanwhile, must balance this trip with an upcoming Coppa Italia clash in Bologna, a competition that may yet offer their most realistic route to redemption. Team News & Tactics Juventus Luciano Spalletti is expected to revert to a more familiar configuration after making a handful of adjustments for Thursday’s Coppa Italia tie. With Serie A now the immediate priority, Juventus should field a stronger and more recognisable XI against Lazio, particularly in key areas of the pitch. From a squad availability perspective, Juventus are dealing with a small but significant cluster of absences. Dusan Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik both remain sidelined and will not be involved, limiting Spalletti’s options at centre-forward. There are no suspension concerns. Encouragingly for the hosts, Kenan Yildiz is expected to start despite recently managing an adductor issue, while first-choice goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio is set to return after being rested in midweek. With Vlahovic and Milik unavailable, the responsibility of leading the line is likely to fall on Jonathan David, who continues to compete with Lois Openda for the central attacking role. David’s mobility and pressing ability give Juventus a slightly different dynamic in the final third, while recent arrival Jeremie Boga offers an alternative wide option from the bench, adding pace and directness if required. Juventus are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, designed to provide balance between defensive control and attacking fluidity. Michele Di Gregorio should start in goal, tasked with organising a back line that has been particularly solid at home. The defensive unit is likely to feature Pierre Kalulu at right-back, Gleison Bremer and Lloyd Kelly as the central defensive pairing, and Andrea Cambiaso at left-back, offering width and overlap. In midfield, Manuel Locatelli is set to anchor proceedings alongside Khephren Thuram, a pairing that blends positional discipline with ball-carrying power. Ahead of them, Franciscao Conceicao is expected to operate from the right flank, Weston McKennie should occupy a central attacking midfield role, and Kenan Yildiz is likely to start from the left, drifting inside to link play and create overloads. At the tip of the attack, Jonathan David is poised to lead the line as the lone striker, supported by Juventus’ three advanced midfielders. Set-piece situations remain a notable strength, with Gleison Bremer continuing to pose a major aerial threat. Including his brace against Parma, the Brazilian defender has now scored 21 Serie A goals since opening his account in 2019 and has already contributed five goal involvements this season despite limited appearances. Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Thuram; Conceicao, McKennie, Yildiz; David SS Lazio ............ Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Provstgaard, Tavares; Basic, Cataldi, Taylor; Isaksen, Maldini, Pedro Key Stats Juventus have lost none of their Serie A home matches this season, conceding just eight league goals at the Allianz Stadium, a record matched only by Napoli on home soil. Juventus have won seven of their last nine Serie A games, scoring 21 goals in that span, a return bettered only by Inter Milan over the same period. Lazio have won just three of their 11 away league matches, scoring only six goals on the road, their lowest tally at this stage of a Serie A season since 1990. Lazio have scored five Serie A goals in second-half stoppage time this season, the most in the division, accounting for more than 20% of their total league goals. Juventus have won their last three home league meetings with Lazio, although Lazio claimed a 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture earlier this season, giving them a chance to complete a rare league double over the Bianconeri for the first time since 1943. Player to Watch Jonathan David With Juventus short of recognised centre-forwards, Jonathan David’s role becomes even more pivotal on Sunday night. The Canadian striker is expected to lead the line in the continued absence of Dušan Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik, placing the responsibility of converting possession into goals squarely on his shoulders. David offers Juventus a different attacking profile compared to their injured forwards. Rather than operating as a static reference point, he thrives on movement, sharp positional shifts, and intelligent pressing from the front. His ability to drop into pockets between midfield and defence can disrupt Lazio’s shape, particularly against a back line that has struggled for consistency away from home. What makes David especially dangerous in this matchup is his timing. He excels at attacking space created by runners from midfield, and with players like Weston McKennie and Kenan Yildiz arriving from deeper or wider areas, Lazio’s central defenders could be forced into uncomfortable decisions. ............ Prediction Juventus 2-0 SS Lazio Juventus should approach this fixture with a clear sense of purpose after their midweek disappointment, and a return to the Allianz Stadium significantly tilts the balance in their favour. Their home control, defensive solidity, and improved attacking cohesion under Luciano Spalletti contrast sharply with Lazio’s ongoing struggles away from Rome. Lazio may carry some threat through late-game resilience and moments of individual quality, but with several key absences and a poor away scoring record, sustaining pressure over 90 minutes looks unlikely. Juventus’s midfield control and superior structure should gradually wear the visitors down. . Read more -> https://thehardtackle.com/round-up/2026/02/08/juventus-vs-ss-lazio-preview-and-prediction-2/

Preview: Juventus vs Lazio - prediction, team news, lineups Following their meek midweek cup exit, Juventus will seek an immediate response in Serie A, as they play host to Lazio on Sunday evening. While Juve’s positive momentum was halted by being dumped out of the Coppa Italia, their visitors have been celebrating last week’s dramatic stoppage-time win. Match preview Transformed under the canny management of Luciano Spalletti, Juventus have won seven of their last nine Serie A matches while scoring 21 goals; only Scudetto favourites Inter Milan have posted more wins in that period. As well as lifting themselves into Italy's top four, Juve are also through to the Champions League's knockout phase, further increasing the feel-good factor in Turin. However, after putting four goals past Parma in last week’s league fixture - partly thanks to a double by Bremer - the Bianconeri were well beaten in Bergamo four days later. Missing out on a potential semi-final against Lazio, who will play holders Bologna for a place in the last four next week, Juve suffered a chastening 3-0 defeat to Atalanta BC in Thursday’s Coppa Italia quarter-final. Now, seeking a positive result before next week’s Derby d'Italia clash with Inter - and an upcoming Champions League playoff against Galatasaray - Spalletti’s side will head back to base. One of two teams still with an unbeaten home record in Serie A, alongside reigning champions Napoli, they have conceded just eight league goals at the Allianz Stadium. Having won their last three home games against Lazio, recent history will also be on the hosts’ side when they meet again this weekend. ............ No side has scored fewer goals on the road - six in 11 matches is also the Rome club’s worst tally at this stage since 1990 - and they have won just three times on their travels so far. Juventus Serie A form: D W W L W W Juventus form (all competitions): L W W D W L Lazio Serie A form: L D W L D W Team News Spalletti tweaked his team for Thursday’s cup tie, but first-choice goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio and key creator Kenan Yildiz should both return to Juve’s starting XI. Though the latter has been struggling with an adductor strain, he is set to feature this weekend, leaving only Dusan Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik on the sidelines. In their ongoing absence, Jonathan David can compete with Lois Openda to lead the Bianconeri’s attack, while recent signing Jeremie Boga offers a fresh option out wide. Once again, Bremer will pose a threat at set-pieces. Including his brace against Parma, the Brazilian has scored 21 times since his first Serie A strike in 2019; despite playing just 13 games this season, he has already registered five goal involvements. ............ Juventus possible starting lineup: Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Thuram; Conceicao, McKennie, Yildiz; David Lazio possible starting lineup: Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Provstgaard, Tavares; Basic, Cataldi, Taylor; Isaksen, Maldini, Pedro ............ We say: Juventus 2-0 Lazio Bouncing straight back from their three-goal defeat in Bergamo, Juventus should pick off a patchwork Lazio side. The capital club have sold key players - and other starters will be injured or suspended - leaving them vulnerable to a much-improved Juve attack. . Read more -> https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/preview/juventus-vs-lazio-prediction-team-news-lineups_591556.html

What are the numbers behind Kenan Yildiz’s new salary? Kenan Yildiz has agreed to a new contract at Juventus, with the Bianconeri finding a solution to keep one of their most important players at the club. Yildiz is widely regarded as Juventus’ most valuable asset, and several of the world’s top clubs have been keen to sign him should an opportunity arise. ............ The Turkiye international has been in outstanding form over the past few seasons, making him indispensable to the team. His performances have consistently underlined his importance, and Juventus were not prepared to risk losing him at this stage of their project. For that reason, securing his long-term future became a priority for the club. ............ Supporters are unlikely to object to the improved terms, as Yildiz has established himself as one of the team’s most important players over recent years. His consistency, impact, and development have earned widespread appreciation, and many fans see the new contract as a justified reward for his contributions. The new agreement will guarantee Yildiz a salary of around six million euros net per season, with the potential for it to rise to seven million euros if certain add-ons are met. The report also states that he has received a signing-on bonus of six million euros. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/what-are-the-numbers-behind-kenan-yildizs-new-salary/

Juventus confirm Yildiz’s contract extension: ‘Our story continues’ Juventus director Damien Comolli and Bianconeri star Kenan Yildiz made an unusual appearance in front of the media ahead of Luciano Spalletti’s pre-match press conference today to announce the striker’s extension until 2030. ............ It was reported that Juventus could announce Yildiz’s extension before Spalletti’s press conference today, and that’s exactly what happened. When Spalletti arrived in the press room, he joined directors Giorgio Chiellini, Marco Ottolini and François Modesto in the first row, while CEO Damien Comolli and Yildiz took the stage. Comolli addressed the media, speaking in Italian for the first time. ............ “Before starting, let me say that this is the first time I speak in Italian in a public occasion, so forgive me if I make some mistakes, but this occasion is too important not to communicate with you in your language,” he said. “I also apologise to Mr Spalletti and all of you for taking up your time. “We are happy to announce Kenan’s extension until 2030. It’s a happiness shared by everyone, the owners, the directors, Luciano and certainly by all our fans, as Kenan is a real champion, a real star of football. He is a talent but also has the quality that a leader needs: consistency, ambition, availability and a sense of responsibility to put at the team’s disposal. “He’s a young man, grown up with strong values, family values such as those of the Bianconeri family. “Thanks, Kenan, for deciding to stay with us. Lastly, I want to reiterate that we are facing an ambitious and demanding path. We want Juventus to reach the victories it deserves, we want to make the fans happy and build the Juventus of the future. ............ “First of all, I want to thank John Elkann and Comolli, everyone at Juventus, the coach, my teammates and the fans. I’m happy to renew my contract and stay with you in this family,” said the striker. “I’m confident we’ll make great things in the future. I love Juventus. Since I came here, I’ve always been sure we’d make great things, having the fans and my family backing me.” . Read more -> https://football-italia.net/juventus-confirm-yildiz-extension-spalletti/

Spalletti on Yildiz’s extension, future at Juventus and use of McKennie Luciano Spalletti insists he’s in no hurry to discuss his contract extension with Juventus, but Kenan Yildiz’s signing on a new deal marks an ‘important day’ for the future of the club. Spalletti held a pre-match press conference on Saturday, on the eve of a Serie A match against Lazio. ............ “It’s an important day for the future of Juventus. It’s great to know that Kenan will be part of the team for as many years as possible,” Spalletti said. ............ Comolli described Yildiz as a ‘leader’ despite his young age. “First of all, it gives strength to the entire team. The assessments of these champions are based on how much they can connect with the rest of the squad,” Spalletti added. “That’s how you become stronger. He has this explosive one-on-one ability, putting you in a position of great advantage. Those who have this quality give you a spark to immediately create something important. “Yildiz is really something special. The fact that he’s very young is part of the culture and the family he comes from. It’s a merit, and you can see that he’s a young man who has received proper guidance. He’s always smiling, joking with everyone. Knowing how to be with people and understand them is an extremely important quality.” “He is available. He trained with the team today,” Spalletti confirmed. “Conceiçao and Kelly worked separately. We’ll assess them tomorrow.” ............ “I think it’s better not to put too much pressure on this, as the club must be given time to make assessments,” the coach argued. “If I’m able to show my worth as Kenan has done, then it will be possible. We are focused on our priority, mine is to prepare well for the matches. Juventus have something to fix, which becomes crucial for the future. They have to discuss expiring contracts. There’s also mine, but I came here with the intention of leaving them the choice. “I often talk to Elkann, and I feel he’s very close to our proof of strength and our desire to become stronger. With him close, we are even stronger.” ............ “You know Sarri and his teams. They know how to play football, and we must be able to adapt to different scenarios in the game,” Spalletti said. “It’s crucial to read what goes on around us to dominate proceedings, especially against them. Distances and intensity must be in line within the team. You saw Sarri work, and you know his qualities. “We’ll have to be just as good at being a united team, able to read different moments in the game, because I think they play better than their position in the standings suggests. “We don’t just play against a team, we play against the whole league and for our future as well,” Spalletti continued. “Every game belongs to us; it’s always us playing, and we must play our game. It’s not about the opponent; it’s about the mentality and the commitment to play as we want. What is in front of us should not affect us, and we must have a strong mentality. A strong mentality is a voice that says who you are, regardless of the context.” ............ “Boga knows how to play in different roles, too. He also possesses this pace and sensibility with the ball at his feet. He dribbles opponents, and all these things must be put in a context that works, so it’s easier to adapt him to other roles too. “I had followed Holm for some time. He played in Spezia, and my wife comes from there, so I often watched him play for Spezia. He already impressed me back then, and he has continued to improve. He played under Italiano, and he has played in an important team like Bologna.” ............ “The striker creates the space for McKennie,” the coach explained. “The striker who drops deep to link up with the team gives a numerical advantage and frees up the space. We want to be this kind of team that goes ahead through playing style and movement. A team that perceives what is an advantage and what is a disadvantage. Sometimes we use McKennie in the build-up, other times we use him as a target man because we need to beat the press, and he knows how to do it. Therefore, we use him in different areas.” . Read more -> https://football-italia.net/spalletti-yildiz-extension-juventus-mckennie/

Fabrizio Ravanelli explains what Luciano Spalletti has brought to Juventus so far Juventus has become a much stronger side since Luciano Spalletti took charge, with the manager giving the team a clear identity and instilling greater confidence in his players. The men at the Allianz Stadium have increasingly shown they can be trusted as one of the top teams in the country, delivering performances that reflect improved organisation and belief. Despite this progress, Juventus are not yet close to lifting silverware. Their Coppa Italia exit in midweek has made it difficult for them to secure a trophy this season, removing one of their clearest opportunities for success. Nevertheless, Juve remain one of the leading teams in world football, and the absence of further cup commitments could allow them to perform better in the league during the remainder of the campaign. ............ Regardless of how results unfold between now and the end of the season, there is little doubt that Juventus have improved significantly since Spalletti became their manager. The team has shown greater cohesion, sharper tactical discipline, and a renewed sense of purpose. Spalletti himself has been pleased with how the squad has responded to his methods and the overall level of performance achieved so far. ............ Former Juventus striker Fabrizio Ravanelli has already identified clear signs of progress within the squad. He offered a positive assessment of Spalletti’s influence, saying, “I’d call it a very positive Spalletti effect on the team, and the entire atmosphere, has restored a sense of belonging to the team and quickly imposed his technical and tactical ideas with a fierce counter-pressing of the ball when not in possession. Juve are playing really well now, and that’s thanks to the coach.” ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/fabrizio-ravanelli-explains-what-luciano-spalletti-has-brought-to-juventus-so-far/

Massimo Pavan says Spalletti should have rotated more against Atalanta Massimo Pavan has called for greater use of the Juventus squad, arguing that Luciano Spalletti should have rotated more during the recent defeat to Atalanta in the Coppa Italia. Juventus possess several high-quality players, and despite being knocked out of the competition, they produced a strong performance against La Dea. The result was not what the club expected, particularly given the good football they had played in the weeks leading up to the match. Juventus entered the fixture in encouraging form, which made the outcome even more disappointing. However, Atalanta approached the contest with a superior game plan and ultimately deserved their victory, leaving Juve facing the possibility of ending the season without a trophy. ............ With the Italian Cup no longer an option, the men at the Allianz Stadium will now work harder to ensure they finish the season strongly. A top-four finish remains the minimum objective, and consistency in the league will be vital if they are to meet that target. Missing the chance to win the Coppa Italia will be a source of regret, especially given how competitive the team has been for much of the campaign. ............ Pavan watched the Atalanta match and was pleased with the team’s display, even in defeat. However, he felt that Spalletti could have rotated his squad more effectively. He said, “Spalletti, in my opinion, should have rotated more on Thursday, but I don’t want to be presumptuous. He obviously has the physical capabilities that can do well tomorrow. Based on the lineup he’s fielded, he needs to be confident he can play more or less the same two games that are close in level. Otherwise, the concept is wrong. The Coppa Italia is an interesting trophy, but not on the condition of finishing lower in the league.” ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/massimo-pavan-says-spalletti-should-have-rotated-more-against-atalanta/

Xaver Schlager sends a goodbye message amidst Juventus interest Xaver Schlager has all but confirmed that he is leaving RB Leipzig, as Juventus considers signing him as a free agent. The Bianconeri have maintained a long-standing interest in the midfielder, but Leipzig had hoped he would commit to a new deal. The club did not want to sell him during the last transfer window, despite the risk of him finishing this season as a free agent. Schlager has been an important player for Leipzig, and they were keen to avoid losing him midseason. For Juventus, this situation presents an opportunity, giving them time to plan and prepare to integrate Schlager into their squad before it is too late. ............ Although the club’s budget may not allow them to acquire every player they target, free agents remain an attractive option, and Schlager is a player they are keen on securing. ............ The Austrian midfielder has now addressed Leipzig fans, reflecting on his time at the club. He said: “My last three and a half years have been marked by several unforgettable moments, particularly the triumphs in the German Cup and German Supercup in 2023. I feel very at home here, both at the club and within the team. That’s why I really appreciate the commitment that the club and its management team have put into our discussions. In the end, what prevailed for me was the desire to experiment and try something new. It wasn’t a rejection of Leipzig, but rather a decision to pursue something new. Those who know me know that I will give everything for this club, our fans, and our shared goals until the final whistle of my last match. My priority is to close this chapter of my life at Leipzig on a positive note.” ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/xaver-schlager-sends-a-goodbye-message-amidst-juventus-interest/

Aldo Serena explains the difference between the Juventus and Atalanta attack Atalanta eliminated Juventus from the Coppa Italia last night following a 3-0 victory in Bergamo, leaving the Bianconeri at risk of finishing the season without silverware unless they secure the Champions League or Scudetto. The Italian Cup had been viewed as a realistic opportunity for Luciano Spalletti in his first season as Juventus manager, particularly given the team’s strong form in recent weeks. ............ The result serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of cup competitions and the importance of clinical finishing. While Juventus remain competitive on other fronts, the loss in Bergamo will be viewed as a missed opportunity to claim tangible success this season. ............ Former striker Aldo Serena, who has closely followed both teams, has commented on a key difference in their attacking play. He said, “Atalanta have Krstovic and Scamacca, two central strikers who know how to move in the box to score goals, but also to help others. For the second goal, the number 90 went beyond the near post to pass the ball. In Bergamo, they have two, at Juve they don’t have a single one.” Serena’s observation emphasises Juventus’ lack of a comparable central striking presence capable of creating and finishing chances in key moments. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/aldo-serena-explains-the-difference-between-the-juventus-and-atalanta-attack/

Juventus injury news: Conceicao risks missing Lazio clash Juventus are sweating over the fitness of Francisco Conceição ahead of their upcoming Serie A match against Lazio. The Portuguese winger returned from the Coppa Italia trip to Atalanta with a muscle issue similar to the one recently suffered by Kenan Yildiz, an overload to the adductor. In Conceição’s case, the problem affects his right leg. ............ There is a real risk that Conceição could miss the Lazio fixture, a match with personal significance as he would be facing a club closely associated with his father’s career. Earlier in the week, Yildiz was able to recover after just one day of rest, helped by the extra time between fixtures. ............ This time, though, the turnaround is tighter, and Conceição’s explosive playing style, built on sharp bursts of pace, makes the situation more delicate. ............ . Read more -> https://football-italia.net/juventus-news-conceicao-risk-lazio-clash/

Piscedda discusses one big problem in the Juventus defence Massimo Piscedda has criticised Juventus’ defence following the Bianconeri’s 3-0 defeat to Atalanta in the Coppa Italia quarterfinal last night. Juventus had approached the fixture with confidence, believing they could compete effectively and potentially secure a victory against La Dea. ............ The result has raised questions over the consistency of their defensive performances, especially given the strong displays seen previously. While Spalletti’s side had appeared well-organised in past matches, the Coppa Italia loss demonstrated that lapses can occur, undermining confidence in the backline during crucial fixtures. ............ Commenting on the defeat, Piscedda highlighted the potential weaknesses in Juventus’ defensive approach. He said, “On paper, Lazio is an underdog against Juve, but then you have to play it. Spalletti’s team is vulnerable in some respects. The weak point? The defence sometimes falls asleep. So Lazio can score against them. The problem is that Lazio’s attack needs to wake up at the same time.” His remarks suggest that while Juventus remain a strong team on paper, defensive lapses could be exploited by teams capable of capitalising on mistakes. The Coppa Italia defeat serves as a reminder that even recently solid units are susceptible to errors, emphasising the need for concentration and consistency in upcoming matches. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/pundit-discusses-one-big-problem-in-the-juventus-defence/

Report Man United open talks to sign Juventus midfielder Locatelli Manchester United have reportedly opened talks with the agent of Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli over a possible summer transfer. ............ The report claims that Locatelli is one of the Red Devils’ options to replace Casemiro in 2026-27. Locatelli is a regular starter at Juventus and has shown steady improvements under coach Luciano Spalletti since the Italian tactician was appointed by the Old Lady at the end of October. ............ Locatelli, 28, is the Juventus captain and has grabbed one goal and one assist in 31 appearances across all competitions this season. ............ A Euro 2020 winner with the Italy national team, Locatelli has scored three goals in 34 appearances with the Azzurri. His contract at the Allianz Stadium runs out in June 2028. . Read more -> https://football-italia.net/man-united-open-talks-juventus-locatelli/

Juventus’ fourth kit for 2025-26 leaked Juventus’ fourth kit, featuring a ‘hooped design in black and white’, has been leaked online. ............ According to the report, it will be available in the coming weeks and is expected to be worn by Juventus players for a competitive match this season, as it already happened in the past. ............ The Bianconeri’s fourth kit has been designed by Adidas and Studio Sgura and features a black and white hooped design, moving away from the club’s traditional stripes. ............ . Read more -> https://football-italia.net/picture-juventus-fourth-kit-2025-26-leaked/

Tacchinardi: Three players ‘adding nothing’ ahead of ‘terrible month’ Former Juventus midfielder Alessio Tacchinardi criticises Teun Koopmeiners, Lois Openda and Edon Zhegrova following the Old Lady’s Coppa Italia exit: ‘They add nothing, and Juve have a terrible month ahead.’ ............ Former Juventus midfielder Tacchinardi examined the game during SportMediaset’s post-match show, blaming the Old Lady’s reserves and focusing particularly on three players. ............ “The result was too harsh for Juve, because they put in a very good performance,” Tacchinardi said. “They created a lot before the penalty, which, for me, was nonexistent. They are playing great football, but paid a high price because they were unable to finalise their attacks. After all, who wins is right.” ............ “I think Juventus wanted a striker with different characteristics because David wants the ball inside the box and he fights, but it’s not enough, and he’s still shy up there,” Tacchinardi said. ............ “Juventus have many tough games coming up, and David and Openda are not increasing their level. I see a player who puts in commitment, but is struggling. Juventus’ reserves are struggling, but Spalletti can’t use only 11 players and needs everyone to improve. Koopmeiners, Openda and Zhegrova are adding nothing, but Spalletti needs them because he has a terrible month ahead.” The Serie A giants will host Lazio in their next Serie A match on Sunday before visiting Inter the following week. ............ . Read more -> https://football-italia.net/ex-juventus-3-players-add-nothing-terrible/

Juventus player ratings vs Atalanta: Bremer endures rare Off night While the final result may be too harsh, Juventus were eliminated from the Coppa Italia at the hands of Atalanta, who put three unanswered goals past Mattia Perin. The Bianconeri saw more of the ball, and had several dangerous chances, but they lacked the serenity in the final third. On the contrary, the Orobici were exceptionally clinical in front of goal, although they had luck on their side when Gleison Bremer’s handball gifted a spot-kick, resulting in the opener. ............ Juventus XI (3-5-2) Mattia Perin – 5.5 Aside from picking the ball from his net thrice, the experienced goalkeeper had very little to do. However, none of the goals were his mistake, including the third, which came from a slightly deflected shot. Federico Gatti – 6 ............ Gleison Bremer – 5 While the Brazilian had his moments, he had a negative role to play in all three goals. Gave away the spot-kick on the opener with an unfortunate own goal, opted against clearing the square ball on the second, and gifted Atalanta possession on the third. Lloyd Kelly – 5 The Englishman couldn’t prevent the square ball on the second goal. Tried to block Mario Pasalic’s shot on the third, but inadvertently wrongfooted his goalkeeper. Pierre Kalulu – 5.5 ............ Manuel Locatelli – 6 The Juventus captain put on a shift in the middle of the park, helping the team win back the ball and maintain possession. The whole game plan faltered following his exit. Khephren Thuram – 6 ............ Andrea Cambiaso – 5.5 ............ Francisco Conceicao – 5.5 The Portuguese winger will be kicking himself for failing to capitalise on a golden opportunity to break the deadlock when he saw his shot blocked by Marco Carnesecchi. He tried to rectify his mistake shortly afterwards, but his effort crashed against the woodwork. Weston McKennie – 5.5 The American played as an attacking midfielder and even switched to a striker at one point, but he lacked the ability to execute his chances properly. Jonathan David – 6 A generous display from the Canadian striker, who ran all over the pitch and set up McKennie on a couple of occasions. However, his teammates didn’t provide him with sufficient service. Substitutes Jeremie Boga – 6 The Ivorian produced some exciting touches on his Juventus debut and almost created the equaliser for McKennie. Teun Koopmeiners – 5.5 ............ Emil Holm – 5.5 ............ Edon Zhegrova – N/A Lois Openda N/A . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/juventus-player-ratings-vs-atalanta-bremer-endures-rare-off-night/

Atalanta 3 - Juventus 0: Initial reaction and random observations The final score from Bergamo on Thursday night will say that Atalanta thoroughly beat Juventus. It make things seem like they weren’t close, and that Luciano Spallett’s squad was completely overwhelmed by what La Dea were doing for much of the night. But that’s not the case. The scoreline, it can be deceiving. And this one is most certainly a case of that. Sure, losing by three goals and seeing your Coppa Italia run end in the same round that it did a year ago is not a good look. That is the simplistic view of it. But when you are on the receiving end of a … let’s just say … less-than-questionable penalty call well after the supposed incident actually happened, then you’re suddenly forced to chase the game rather than have things be the way they were for much of the night — pretty dang even. Or maybe even favoring Juventus compared to how Atalanta were playing. But with Spalletti’s squad having to chase rather than truly play things out and the early chances that Juventus had not being converted, it all added up to Juve losing in the Coppa Italia quarterfinals for the second straight season. ............ The fact is, the game changed after VAR ruled that Gleison Bremer handled the ball and gave a penalty away to Atalanta. Less than 20 minutes before the half, a performance in which Juventus should have been ahead suddenly turned into a case where they were trailing 1-0 and having to generate scoring chances without their best player on the field. (Which, considering Kenan Yildiz asked to be subbed off at the half all of four days ago, wasn’t necessarily the worst thing in the world. Let the young man rest for a game or two. He needs it.) But the catch in that is the reality that Juventus should have had the lead even before Atalanta actually went ahead. In terms of really good scoring chances alone, Francisco Conceição should have put Juve ahead. Weston McKennie also had one of the best chances of the night and wasn’t able to convert. This was far from Atalanta domination that the scoreline would suggest it was. Instead, Raffaele Palladino set his team up well — especially after the goal — and then proved to be very opportunistic to extend their lead. This should not have been a night in which Juventus didn’t score. They racked up a total of 1.51 xG in the first half alone, with Atalanta pretty much just being dangerous from the penalty spot and that’s it in the first half. One team took their best chance, the other one didn’t — and were left to wonder what could have been if things had been different in front of goal rather than seeing chance after chance go wide, go high or even go crashing off the crossbar. Or you can point to the fact that the Coppa Italia was Juventus’ only true remaining opportunity to win silverware this season. The Scudetto? Nah, not when you’re 10 points back in February and the league leaders are, unfortunately, looking as strong as Inter are right now. The Champions League? Not this iteration of Juventus, one that still has to get through the play-off round first … and then a whole lot of other tough opposition. ............ RANDOM THOUGHTS AND OBSERVATIONS Not a good night for Gleison Bremer Silva Nascimento. Not good at all. That doesn’t take into account the fact that I maintain he got jobbed by the VAR review on the handball. I’m not exactly sure what he was supposed to do there other than try and do something completely unnatural when the letter of the law says that he had to be doing something totally unnatural for it to be a handball. That makes sense, right? Because sometimes I don’t even know how to explain some of these things. Not a good night for Mattia Perin. Not a good night for Weston McKennie, which is something that I haven’t really thought in months. Not a good night for Francisco Fernandes da Conceição, either. Not the best night for Luciano Spalletti, too. His subs just didn’t take any sort of effect at all. And maybe seemed a little too slow — which, considering how very quick to right the in-game wrongs he and his team make is a little surprising. ............ Speaking of Thuram, I thought this was the game in which Spalletti gave him some rest. That’s because he appears — and that is one man’s opinions from a very far distance away — to be rather tired. ............ Was Manuel Locatelli one of the few Juventus players who had a really good performance in this one? Because I feel like Manuel Locatelli was one of the few Juventus players who actually played well against Atalanta. If only Juventus had converted one of those first-half scoring chances, huh? Guessing that thought is going to float across my brain a few times over the next couple of hours. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a goalkeeper with a minus-0.93 goals prevented number, but that is what Fotmob gave to Mattia Perin for his showing against Atalanta. And you know what? Feels about right. ............ Juventus’ defense on the second goal … not great. Juventus’ defense on the third goal … also not great. Atalanta recorded four shots on goal the entire night. They scored three of them. Juventus recorded 13 shots total the entire night. They put two of them on target. ............ This a well-established fact, but something has to be done about the entire VAR review process. I mean, Atalanta players and coaches weren’t even complaining about a potential handball and then everybody hits the brakes, the game stops and then there’s a review. At some point, you gotta hope they realize that some of these calls are just not actually the correct calls and that you’re just continuing to impact your product. Then again, this is Italian football in 2026, so it’s hard to say what they will realize is actually the truth. Good first impression Jérémie Boga — especially considering he hasn’t played for six weeks. ............ Three former Atalanta players coming off the bench against Atalanta. Just as we all expected. One of the few positives to come out of this one? Kenan Yildiz rested. He needed it. So now you either have him back to face Lazio or unleash him on two weeks worth of rest against Inter at the San Siro next weekend. I like the sound of that — especially the second part. Let’s just hope that this proves to be a one-off rather than the regression to the mean. It’s up to Luciano to prevent the second half of that sentence from happening. Sure would be nice if that’s the case no matter how tough the schedule is over the next month. Read more -> https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/previews-reviews/36228/atalanta-juventus-2026-coppa-italia-quarterfinals-final-score-result-initial-reaction-random-observations