JUVENTUS SEASON 2025-2026

[Socrates 10212]

Juventus 2 - Genoa 0: Initial reaction and random observations

 

 

Juventus knew they wouldn’t be able to jump back into fourth place no matter what happened during Monday’s lunchtime kickoff between Como and Udinese. But with what played out in Udine, Juventus’ opportunity to cut the gap between themselves and fourth-place Como was there for the taking.

 

And they did just that.

 

There were two very different kind of halves from Juventus on Monday evening, but thanks to about as dominant of an opening 45 minutes as anybody could have asked for with Gleison Bremer and Weston McKennie scoring goals within the first 20 minutes, the Bianconeri were able to ride that two-goal lead to a 2-0 victory over Genoa at the Allianz Stadium. With that win and Como’s scoreless draw against Udinese a few hours earler, the gap between fourth place and fifth place is now down to a single point. And with Como the next team up to face Inter Milan on the Serie A schedule, there is a legit chance that Juventus could be in fourth by the time next weekend is over (or even as they’re heading back to Turin after the trip to Bergamo). ............

 

Shoot, I don’t think anybody foresaw one of the second-half heroes that prevented Genoa from actually getting on the scoreboard being a much-maligned former starting goalkeeper who wasn’t in the starting lineup and hadn’t played since Juventus’ brutal loss to Como on Feb. 21 on this same field in Turin.

 

On that day, Michele Di Gregorio was adding to his list of costly errors. This time around, about six weeks later, he was making about as Gigi Buffon-like double save as you’ll see from a Juve keeper — let alone one who came on in a pinch because Mattia Perin picked up a calf injury late in the first half.

 

If Di Gregorio doesn’t make either of those two saves, then it’s about as nervy as a final 15 minutes as we’ll see. Heck, even with those saves it was still a nervy final 15 minutes from Juventus thanks to a second half that left a whole lot to be desired. It was the culmination of a second half in which Juve took their foot off the gas a little bit, were probably taxed from the high-tempo first-half performance they delivered on and the fact that Tommaso Baldanzi gave Genoa exactly the kind of spark that Daniele De Rossi was looking for.

 

Juventus could have been made to rue some of their missed chances — and especially so with somebody like McKennie who could very well have scored a hat trick with his two notable close-range shots that he didn’t convert. They could have put Genoa away for good with plenty of time to spare and made the final 30 minutes (or more) a total cruise to the finish line like you’re just driving with the top down on a beautiful Sunday with absolutely nothing else to do.

 

But, this is Juventus in 2026, and nothing comes easy or really follows the logic we’ve always known with this sport. That is why, up 2-0, their best defender is going on a tackle right on the edge of the box that ends up being a penalty after a lengthy VAR review. That is why, after not playing for six weeks because his manager replaced him as the start in goal, Di Gregorio suddenly is thrust into the spotlight and becomes a hero with a massive double save that keeps the clean sheet intact.

 

This was a classic game that should have been a 3-0, 4-0 or even more kind of victory for Juventus. Instead, the actuality was a nervy second half where you probably thought “2-0 is the most dangerous lead in football” once or twice, if not more. Juventus, as is well-established, did a whole lot right in the first half only to, in a way, be their own worst enemy after the break that kept Genoa hanging away in some shape or form.

 

In the end, though, they got the three points. ............

 

We said it around the same point in the schedule last season when this exact same situation regarding Champions League qualification was playing out — we don’t care how they win, as long as they win.

 

Considering the vast differences in both halves — and Spalletti essentially said after the game that it wouldn’t have been possible for Juve to keep things up after what they did in the opening 45 minutes — it would have made total sense for this team to cough the lead up and leave us wondering if the chances for Champions League next season were basically gone. But, they won — and that is the thing they need to do as much as possible over these final eight weeks of the 2025-26 season. ............

RANDOM THOUGHTS AND OBSERVATIONS

• A 2-0 lead? Within 20 minutes? In this economy?
• Seriously, though, a 2-0 lead within 20 minutes is something that is more than welcomed around these parts and that is the way you would like to see Juventus start just about every one of their remaining games this season.
• The second half, though? Not so much!
• The passing sequence that led to McKennie’s goal to make it 2-0 was just beautiful. Andrea Cambiaso and Kenan Yildiz did well to combine in a tight space and get out of pressure. Cambiaso was incredibly smart with his switch of the field to fully kick things into gear. McKennie’s run to find himself wide open in the box was great. Same goes for Francisco Conceição’s cutback to spot McKennie. And the finish to cap it all off. Just a great team goal all the way around.
• The finishing on McKennie’s other two chances in the box? Not as nice. ............
• McKennie being suspended due to yellow card accumulation for the weekend trip to Bergamo is less than ideal. No ot a fan of it — nope, not one bit.
• David was surely a surprise to many when it comes to him being a starting lineup choice. But he played a solid game after a productive international break with Canada. That shot he had that hammered off the post was impressive if only because the guy had absolutely no momentum behind him and looked to be basically flat-footed as he got the ball off. ............
• Shot count in the first half: Juventus 10, Genoa 2.
• Shot count in the second half: Genoa 10, Juventus 6.
• If Arek Milik scored his first goal in basically two years in that kind of way … oh my goodness. Might have written 1,300 words just on that alone, folks.
• Is it time to heap some praise on Di Gregorio? Yeah, I think it is. Let’s do it …
• For him to come off the bench and basically just have the halftime interval to try and lock in mentally only to go on and make that double save, it’s pretty remarkable. And that is even before you think about how tough these past six weeks must have been after he lost his starting job to Perin, a move that Spalletti first said was more of a mental health break before it became a more more permanent thing. Maybe he got a little bit of a sarcastic cheer on his first save of the day when the shot was right at him. But on that double save? Just brilliant. That is the kind of stuff that made me really have high hopes for him when he first signed with Juventus.
• Plus, the dude has gotten his fair share of online abuse from folks following his mistakes. Redemption, at least for one game, looked really good on him — and you could tell he was feeling it, too.
• Finally, Di Gregorio just seems like a genuinely good dude regardless of his Inter past. It’s always good to see good things happen to good people. ............
• I also like the part of Kalulu’s game in which he channels his inner Danilo and makes a huge 1-on-1 tackle only to look completely nonchalant about it right after it happens.
• Four Juventus players got yellow cards in this game. It felt like so many more than that.
• Yildiz had almost as many key passes by himself as Genoa had as a team. And yet this felt like a somewhat quiet outing for Kenan on the whole. Boy is good. ............

Read more -> https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/previews-reviews/37583/juventus-genoa-2026-serie-a-matchday-31-final-score-result-initial-reaction-random-observations

[Socrates 10212]

[Socrates 10212]

Preview: Atalanta BC vs Juventus - prediction, team news, lineups

 

 

Two Champions League contenders will clash on Saturday night, as Juventus visit Atalanta BC with both sides desperate for maximum points.

 

Before they meet in Bergamo, the pair sit outside Serie A’s top four with seven rounds remaining, so anything less than victory could prove fatal.

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Match preview

Trailing behind in a very tight top-four race, Juventus welcomed Genoa to Turin on Monday evening, having dropped more precious points just before the international break.

 

In real danger of missing out on Champions League qualification for the second time in three seasons, the Bianconeri responded to a disappointing home draw against Sassuolo by beating Genoa and extending their unbeaten streak to six games.

 

Luciano Spalletti's side had only won two of their previous seven league matches, so it was essential to avoid any errors at home to opponents still threatened by relegation, and a couple of early goals proved enough to see off the Grifone.

 

Sitting in fifth place, one point behind big-spending Como - who could only draw 0-0 with Udinese - Juve are just ahead of Roma and outsiders Atalanta in the pursuit of a seat at Europe’s top table.

 

Now heading back out on the road, the Bianconeri have won consecutive Serie A away matches just once since Spalletti took charge in November, but that will be their task this weekend.

 

Saturday’s clash almost looks too close to call: six of Juve’s last eight league games against Atalanta have ended all square - with one win apiece - though they slumped to a 3-0 Coppa Italia defeat at New Balance Arena just two months ago. ............

 

Atalanta BC Serie A form:

W L D D W W

Atalanta BC form (all competitions):

D L D L W W

 

Juventus Serie A form:

L D W W D W

Juventus form (all competitions):

W D W W D W

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Team News

Set to extend his short-term deal and sign a two-year contract, Spalletti will be forced to make changes this weekend: Weston McKennie must serve a suspension, while Mattia Perin came off injured against Genoa.

 

Having saved a penalty after his half-time introduction, former first choice Michele Di Gregorio will replace the latter in goal.

 

Continuing an injury-hit campaign, Dusan Vlahovic is also ruled out with a calf problem, so either Jonathan David or false nine Kenan Yilidiz should feature up front. ............

 

Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:

Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Bernasconi; De Ketelaere, Zalewski; Krstovic

 

Juventus possible starting lineup:

Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Thuram, Locatelli; Conceicao, Yildiz, Boga; David ............

 

We say: Atalanta BC 2-1 Juventus

Juventus do not travel particularly well, while Atalanta have built an excellent home record under Palladino.

 

On this occasion, the young coach can conquer the vastly experienced Spalletti, but it should be another game of fine margins.

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Read more -> https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/atalanta-bc/preview/atalanta-vs-juventus-prediction-team-news-lineups_595337.html

[Socrates 10212]

Atalanta vs Juventus: Preview and Prediction

 

 

The battle for the top four in Serie A has reached the time of the season when it usually gets exciting, and this time it certainly promises fireworks. A host of teams are in the mix now, as AC Milan’s defeat to Napoli has dragged them into the battle, where Juventus, Como, AS Roma and Atalanta are all in contention.

 

Atalanta are currently in an imperious vein of form in the league, losing just once in 2026 while winning nine times in that period. Raffaele Palladino is now averaging at least two points per game and very much steering his side into Champions League contention.

 

However, if he is to take his side head-on against Juventus, Atalanta must overcome a dreadful record against the Bianconeri that reads one win in their last 20 league games. Since losing to current top four rivals Como, Juventus have been hot and cold in their next four games, winning two and drawing the others.

 

The most recent result showed they could only muster a stalemate with Sassuolo, but they responded with a win over Genoa, which has kept them in fifth place heading into the weekend.

 

However, with the team heading to Bergamo, this is also the first time Juventus have won back-to-back away games under Luciano Spalletti. On what they must do, the Bianconeri must treat every game as a key encounter and target a win every single time to stay in touch with the proceedings in the top four race.

Team News & Tactics

Atalanta

 ............

 

Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Bernasconi; De Ketelaere, Zalewski; Krstovic

Juventus

Unlike Atalanta, Juventus do have a few notable absentees to contend with as Spalletti may have to make some alterations to his lineup. Weston McKennie is suspended for this clash, while Mattia Perin came off injured against Genoa.

 

Hence, Michele Di Gregorio could be back in contention between the sticks, and he will have Pierre Kalulu, Gleison Bremer, Lloyd Kelly and Andrea Cambiaso in the backline.

 

Khephren Thuram and Manuel Locatelli are the preferred midfield choices for Spalletti, while Kenan Yildiz will play the role in the No. 10 zone. Francisco Conceicao and Jeremie Boga are the preferred wide choices for Juventus, with Jonathan David leading the line against Atalanta.

 

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Thuram; Conceicao, Yildiz, Boga; David

Key Stats

• Atalanta are undefeated in 13 of their last 14 matches in Serie A.
• Atalanta have only won once against Juventus in their last 20 league meetings.
• Juventus have drawn six of their last eight games against Atalanta.
• Juventus are undefeated in their last five matches in Serie A.

Player to Watch

Kenan Yildiz

Yildiz has had a patch where he could not impact much, but of late, he has found his scoring boots as well as been creating goals for his teammates. Four goal involvements in as many Serie A games heading to Bergamo, the Turk is the man who could dictate the tempo for Juventus on Saturday.

 

Spalletti will want all his key players fit and firing on all cylinders in the final run-in. With nothing much to chase in the time remaining in the campaign, the top four race is the only real objective The Juventus head coach would want to achieve, and hence, the Bianconeri need players like Yildiz at his very best.

Prediction

Atalanta 1-2 Juventus

Atalanta does not have a great record against Juventus, winning just once in their last 20 meetings, which might need some changing. They may also be in a slightly better vein of form, but they might fall back to old habits against yet another big team.

 

Juventus will be under pressure, and with the team unbeaten in five games since that Como loss, Spalletti will be targeting a win on Saturday. Juventus may use this pressure to get over the line, as they are slight favourites to claim three points.

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Read more -> https://thehardtackle.com/round-up/2026/04/11/atalanta-vs-juventus-preview-and-prediction-3/

[Socrates 10212]

Serie A Preview: Atalanta vs Juventus – Team News, Lineups & Prediction

 

 

With only seven games left to play, Atalanta have little time to haul back a five-point deficit to fourth-placed Como and secure a third consecutive top-four finish. Back-to-back victories over bottom-half strugglers Hellas Verona and Lecce have helped La Dea return to contention for Champions League qualification.

 

However, Raffaele Palladino’s side must register only a third set of three successive league wins this season to keep their European dream alive. The task ahead can hardly be more challenging, as they face fifth-placed Juventus, who will be out to avenge February’s 3-0 rout in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals.

 

Sitting just a point adrift of Como, Juventus can effectively end Atalanta’s top-four hopes with a first league triumph in Bergamo since May 2023. Confidence should be high in the Bianconeri camp after 67-year-old manager Luciano Spalletti signed a new contract with the club yesterday. Indeed, he has pledged his future to the Allianz Stadium until 2028.

 

There’s no better way for the former Scudetto winner to underline his commitment than by keeping the Bianconeri on the upward trajectory. For context, the visitors have won three of their last four league matches without conceding (D1), including a 2-0 home victory over Genoa on Easter Monday.

Match Preview

Atalanta

 ............

 

Juventus

 

Despite their formidable record in Bergamo, Juventus have beaten Atalanta just once in their last 12 meetings in Serie A (D8, L3), with the sides sharing the spoils in a 1-1 stalemate in September’s reverse fixture at the Allianz Stadium. Spalletti’s team cannot afford another slip-up here if they’re to bolster their hopes of securing a third top-four finish in a row.

 

However, Juventus have immensely struggled against current top-seven sides this term, going winless in all four away league matches against such opposition (D1, L3). Moreover, before a narrow 1-0 win at Udinese on their most recent Serie A road trip, the Bianconeri had lost three of their four previous away games in all competitions (D1), conceding 3+ goals in each defeat.

 

A lack of fighting spirit has been an issue for Juventus this season, as they’ve claimed just a single point from losing positions away from Turin (D1, L5). Once closely associated with defensive resilience, the record-time Italian champions have managed just three clean sheets in 15 away league matches, conceding an average of 1.06 goals per game on their travels.

Team News

 ............

 

On the other hand, Mattia Perin had to come off against Genoa, meaning Michele Di Gregorio could return between the sticks. Weston McKennie must serve a one-game suspension, while Dusan Vlahovic renewed his calf injury, joining Juan Cabal and Vasilije Adzic on the sidelines.

Atalanta vs Juventus Potential Starting Lineups

Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Bernasconi; De Ketelaere, Zalewski; Krstovic.

Juventus (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Thuram, Locatelli; Conceicao, Yildiz, Boga; David.

Atalanta vs Juventus Prediction

In addition to Atalanta’s dominant home record in 2026, Juventus’ travel sickness makes for bleak reading, suggesting La Dea could scoop up a precious win here.

 

Prediction: Atalanta to Win 

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Read more -> https://cultofcalcio.com/serie-a-preview-atalanta-vs-juventus-team-news-lineups-prediction/

[Socrates 10212]

Atalanta v Juventus match preview and prediction

 

 

Juventus travel to face Atalanta in a crucial Serie A fixture, with both clubs still fighting for a place in the top four. The match carries significant importance in the context of the league table, with European qualification still very much undecided.

 

Juventus know that securing all three points would be vital to their ambitions, although Atalanta are in a similar position and remain determined to finish the season in a strong European qualification spot, ideally within the Champions League places. This shared objective increases the intensity and importance of the encounter. ............

 

Both sides are entering the fixture under pressure, making it one of the most challenging games remaining in the Serie A calendar. Juventus are aware that any dropped points could have a major impact on their final league position, while Atalanta will view this as an opportunity to strengthen their own standing. ............

 

The recent head-to-head record adds further intrigue to the contest. Atalanta defeated Juventus in their last meeting, which came in the Coppa Italia, and Juventus also failed to win the reverse league fixture in Turin. These results highlight how closely matched the two sides have been.

 

Given the balance between the teams and the importance of the occasion, a tightly contested match is expected. While either side is capable of winning, Juventus may look to prioritise avoiding defeat if the game becomes difficult, with a draw appearing a realistic outcome in a highly competitive encounter where every point is valuable.

 

Prediction

 

Atalanta 1-1 Juventus

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/atalanta-v-juventus-match-preview-and-prediction/

[Socrates 10212]

[Socrates 10212]

[Socrates 10212]

[Socrates 10212]

Serie A | Atalanta 0-1 Juventus: Boga decisive in big Bergamo clash

 

 

Juventus earned a significant victory away to Atalanta in this head-to-head for Champions League places, moving to within three points of Milan thanks to Jeremie Boga’s goal.

 

This was a head-to-head for Champions League places, as only four points separated them going into this weekend. ............

 

Atalanta were unbeaten against Juve since the Coppa Italia Final in May 2024, winning two of the last four meetings, including a 3-0 Coppa Italia quarter-final victory in February this year. ............

 

The visitors were pinned back into their own half for long periods, but defended in numbers to charge down Davide Zappacosta and Nikola Krstovic efforts.

 

Lloyd Kelly saw his header deflected wide and Charles De Ketelaere couldn’t keep his attempt on target when leaping over Andrea Cambiaso to meet Lorenzo Bernasconi’s cross. ............

 

It was Juventus who scored straight after the restart at the end of a chaotic move. Boga was blocked off from tapping in the return Francisco Conceicao pass, but it continued and Carnesecchi flapped at an Emil Holm cross, which Scalvini accidentally knocked down into the path of Boga to fire in from seven yards, deflected off the Atalanta goalkeeper.

 

The hosts fought back, Di Gregorio clawing a Berat Djimsiti header off the line from close range on a corner, then Giacomo Raspadori’s strike deflected just over from the edge of the area.

 

It should’ve been 2-0 on 68 minutes when Holm shrugged off Sead Kolasinac to set up Khephren Thuram, but the midfielder ballooned over from 12 yards. ............

 

Atalanta had penalty appeals when Zappacosta’s cross struck Federico Gatti, but the arm was in a natural position and he tried to pull it back at the last second. On the resulting corner, Gianluca Scamacca’s header grazed the crossbar.

 

Di Gregorio was also at full stretch on a Scalvini cross-shot at the near post and Scamacca nodded wide in stoppages.

Atalanta 0-1 Juventus

Boga 48 (J)

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Read more -> https://football-italia.net/serie-a-atalanta-0-1-juventus-boga-decisive/

Modificato Sabato alle 21:43 da Socrates

[Socrates 10212]

Juventus grab crucial win over Atalanta in top four race

 

 

 

Juventus secured a 1-0 victory away to Atalanta this evening in a significant boost to their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League next season.

 

With both sides competing for a place in Europe’s elite competition, the match carried considerable importance. Juventus have yet to confirm their qualification, making every remaining fixture crucial in their pursuit of a top-four finish. ............

 

Both teams started with intent, recognising the importance of scoring first. Juventus were determined not to fall behind early, while Atalanta were equally focused on asserting themselves in front of their supporters.

 

The opening exchanges were closely contested, with both sides creating opportunities in a competitive and physical encounter. Atalanta may have felt they had the better chances during the first half, but they were unable to convert their opportunities into a breakthrough. ............

 

The game remained level at the interval, but the decisive moment arrived shortly after the restart when Jeremie Boga found himself in the right position to score the opening goal three minutes into the second half.

 

Juventus then shifted their focus towards protecting their advantage, showing discipline and organisation as the match progressed. Despite continued pressure from Atalanta, they maintained their structure and limited clear scoring opportunities. ............

 

In the end, Juventus held firm to secure a narrow but vital victory, strengthening their position in the race for qualification to the UEFA Champions League.

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/juventus-grab-crucial-win-over-atalanta-in-top-four-race/

Modificato Sabato alle 21:52 da Socrates

[Socrates 10212]

Spalletti confession: ‘Juventus suffered in first half with Atalanta’

 

 

 

Luciano Spalletti admits Juventus ‘suffered a lot’ in the first half with Atalanta, but after the break was ‘a totally different match’ as they won to keep top four ambitions alive.

 

It was a difficult night in Bergamo, as La Dea pinned Juve back into their own half for long periods in the first half, but were unable to make all that pressure count.

 

Instead, the Bianconeri were clinical when pouncing on a series of errors to score with Jeremie Boga straight after the restart, aided by a deflection off Marco Carnesecchi. ............

 

“The first half-hour we suffered a lot, because Atalanta are a good team, and we were unable to string passes together in any situation, as they were constantly pressing us,” Spalletti said.

 

“We were forced to only defend. In the second half, it was a totally different match, we played on level terms. Usually, we were the ones who didn’t make the dominance count and were penalised by failing to score when we were on top, but this time we did it the other way round.”

 

That includes the last time Juve were in Bergamo back in February, when they had a strong start in the Coppa Italia quarter-final only to emerge 3-0 losers.

 

This result means that Juventus move to within three points of third-placed Milan and temporarily leapfrog Como into fourth, awaiting the match between Cesc Fabregas’ men and Inter on Sunday. ............

 

“These are games that are worth more than three points. Unfortunately, we weren’t in the best shape coming into the match, because Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceicao both had fitness problems, I chose to start them and see how they’d do. They were both a little below par, Thuram had an issue too,” revealed Spalletti.

 

“We were also making mistakes in the first half, not giving Conceicao the opportunity to take men on down the flank, which is his strength. Once we adjusted a few things and got the hang of it, the second half was a completely different match.

 

“We paid too heavy a price in the Coppa Italia game for our performance. Tonight, they moved it from side to side, stretching us out and forcing us back, with us failing to keep our shape.

 

“It is a weakness that we have, our defence can sometimes sit a bit too deep and gets pinned back, especially by a team with Atalanta’s characteristics.” ............

 

 

“In modern football, you do tend to go man for man, but when you make that choice, if one marking goes wrong, it all falls apart,” added Spalletti.

 

“Possession used to be the statistic everyone cared about, now nobody is interested in that, it’s about how you break out of these little individual cages that your players are put into.

 

“Atalanta were far more tuned into the tempo of the game early on, more precise in their movements from right to left, and we didn’t find passing channels. In the second half, we won the ball back a few times and could’ve done more damage on the counter-attack, but misplaced the vertical pass.

 

“Considering the players who were struggling tonight, I am pleased they put the effort in and tried to work for the team,” concluded Spalletti.

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Read more -> https://football-italia.net/spalletti-juventus-suffered-1st-half-atalanta/

[Socrates 10212]

Juventus 1 - Atalanta 0: Initial reaction and random observations

 

 

The last time Juventus stepped foot onto the field in Bergamo, it was not a very good night of football. As much as there was statistical domination from Luciano Spalletti’s squad, the end result of the Coppa Italia quarterfinal against Atalanta was a smash-and-grab only magnified by how bad things went once the Bianconeri fell behind.

 

Two months later, though, it was Juventus flipping the script. ............

 

Taking a page — be it officially or unofficially — out of the book of the man which whom he will be coaching against in a couple of weeks at the San Siro, Spalletti played about as corto muso of a game as he’s coached since coming to Juventus on Saturday night. Outside of Jérémie Boga’s goal all of three minutes in the second half off some bad defending from Atalanta, Juventus didn’t record another shot on goal. But, for the subsequent 40-plus minutes, Juve’s defense that looked like Swiss cheese the last time they were in Bergamo made things stand, allowing Spalletti to wipe a little sweat off his brow after recording a 1-0 win over La Dea that allowed the Bianconeri to temporarily move up into fourth place ahead of Sunday’s Como-Inter Milan showdown.

 

It wasn’t pretty — especially in a first half where you were left wondering “How are Juventus not losing?” as they walked off the field at the New Balance Stadium and into the locker room. It wasn’t the kind of statistical domination in which we saw from Juve the last time they were in Bergamo.

 

But in classic smash-and-grab or corto muso kind of style, what lacked in style points didn’t actually impact the fact that Spalletti’s squad is heading back to Turin with three huge points in the bag. And they can now sit back on their respective couches back home and hopefully enjoy a Sunday of calcio that will determine whether they finish the weekend in fourth or fifth place.

 

But these days, the wins, three points, that’s what matters more than anything. (The same thing is true in October and November, too, of course, but especially now as they chase down Champions League qualification.) Juventus need as many points as humanly possible in these final two months of the 2025-26 season — and it doesn’t matter if it’s a comfortable win or what they did against Atalanta on Saturday night. Because three points are three points, jack.

 

That’s what they did in Bergamo — which was a far cry from their last visit to this same stadium.

 

To add to it, there’s this: Entering Saturday night, no team in Serie A had previously beaten Atalanta at home in the 2026 calendar year.

That’s hard to believe after the first half that Juventus put forward against Atalanta. They were not good. They struggled massively in the opening 20-25 minutes. They were struggling to deal with Atalanta’s press. They were struggling to string passing sequences together both because of said press or just because they weren’t all that good when they actually had the ball for more than a few seconds. The general feeling was that Juve just needed to get to halftime, Spalletti needed to get things settled down and reorganized a little (or a lot) a bit. ............

 

Spalletti didn’t make the changes right out of the half like so many wanted, but Juventus just looked so much more of a cohesive unit at the back compared to whatever the heck they were doing in the first half. That is what allowed Spalletti to go corto muso in the second half after Boga’s go-ahead goal. And maybe that’s the only way he thought his team could win. So, if that’s the case, then so be it — it’s three points in the bag.

 

Either way, Juventus got the win. They needed this win to kick off this huge three-game stretch that also sees Bologna and AC Milan over the next two weekends. Juventus just got three massive points against a team that had been just as good as Como during the 2026 portion of the schedule, so for that this feels even the bigger of a win.

 

Sometimes you just have to win ugly — and Juventus did exactly that in Bergamo.

 

RANDOM THOUGHTS AND OBSERVATIONS

• Pre-game thought No. 1: Ah, the nervousness that sets in the second you see the stadium lights at the Gewiss Stadium Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia New Balance Arena. Must be another trip to Bergamo! ............
• That being said, I was very happy to see that Michele Di Gregorio was able to follow up his very exciting substitute appearance against Genoa on Monday with a very good showing against Atalanta. You wouldn’t be wrong to say that he was one of Juve’s best players in Bergamo. A couple of those saves he made were big ones and he did a really good job commanding his penalty area. Just a really good sign that he could actually be past the struggles that landed him on the bench in the first place. Not going to oficially declare that to be the case just yet, but we’re trending in the right direction. ............
• Spalletti confirmed after the game that both of his attacking wingers, Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceição, weren’t 100% fit but he decided to start them anyways to see how things went. Now it makes sense as to why both of them — but especially Yildiz — were rather quiet against Atalanta.
• By the way, that was only the second time this season Yildiz has started a game and been subbed off before the 60th minute. You could tell that he was not exactly happy when the camera cut to him on the bench and he was taking his jersey off, but I’m guessing it’s more that Yildiz was just pissed off about how he played rather than being ticked at Spalletti for the early hook.
• The forward who replaced Yildiz in the 58th minute, Jonathan David, he was exactly what Juventus needed as they were really settling into the corto muso approach. Some of his hold-up play and distribution of the ball was excellent. As much as Boga’s goal was what got Juve three points, David’s effort helped keep them in a winning position.
• It also helped that they defended so well as a team in the second half. It didn’t matter if it was Gleison Bremer or Lloyd Kelly or Federico Gatti after he came on, they all defended damn well. ............
• Emil Holm was a rather surprising starter in my book, but some of the hustle plays he made in the second half really proved to be incredibly important. Just look at his effort as part of the sequence that led to Boga’s goal. See? Important.
• Manuel Locatelli put in absolute work on the defensive end — which is not a surprise. But even for him, some of the numbers he put up were quite impressive.
• Matching up against one of the best all-around midfielders in Serie A in Ederson, Locatelli had three tackles, four clearances, four blocked shots, six recoveries and a total of 12 defensive contributions. That’s stuff you usually see from Bremer. Instead, it was Locatelli. That’s a big effort in a corto muso-style win.
• Juventus just won at one of the hardest stadiums to win at with 45% possession, an xG of just 0.63 and half of their shots on goal total was one that might be a little questionable. Atalanta had nearly three times as many touches in the opponents’ box than Juventus did. It was a great defensive effort once they got the lead.
• I don’t know if Spalletti was banking on Atalanta running out of gas, running out of ideas or all of the above, but he sure did play things right out of halftime even though he probably had the vast majority of us scratching our heads with no subs out of the break based on what happened in the opening half. Then again, that’s why he’s just signed a contract extension with Juve and we’re here, I guess. ............
• Giorgio Scalvini would look wonderful in bianconero and it’s a shame that Atalanta would want more than Juventus paid for Teun Koopmeiners to bring him to Turin whenever that would be possible.
• Speaking of Koopmeiners, did he anything of note after coming on for Khephren Thuram with 20 minutes to go? I’m not so sure.
• Speaking of Thuram, my guy’s finishing continues to be extremely hit and miss. Unfortunately, he missed a big, big chance in this game. Thankfully it didn’t come back to haunt his team. ............

Read more -> https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/previews-reviews/37701/juventus-atalanta-2026-serie-a-matchday-32-final-score-result-initial-reaction-random-observations

[Socrates 10212]

Juventus player ratings vs Atalanta: Boga & Holm return to haunt Bergamo

 

 

Although it wasn’t their best performance, Juventus returned to Turin with three invaluable points in the bag thanks to a narrow win over Atalanta.

 

The hosts had the upper hand in the first half, but they were impeded by Lady Luck, especially when Giorgio Scalvini’s header hit the post. Nevertheless, the Bianconeri gradually grew into the game before taking the lead through Jeremie Boga after the break. The visitors were able to cling on to their slim lead until the end of the match. ............

Juventus XI (3-4-2-1)

Michele Di Gregorio – 7

A positive return to the starting lineup for the Italian goalkeeper, who earned a clean sheet. Did well to come across and catch Berat Djimsiti’s header, and was always alert to the danger.

Pierre Kalulu – 6

 ............

Gleison Bremer – 7

A dominant display at the back from the Brazilian defender, who made a flurry of decisive clearances. Won his duels against Nikola Krstovic and Gianluca Scamacca.

Lloyd Kelly – 6

 ............

Emil Holm – 7

An impressive performance from the Bologna loanee, especially when considering he’s been out of action for two months. Delivered the cross that sparked the winner, and created a golden chance squandered by Thuram. He even outmuscled the powerful Sead Kolasinac on one occasion.

Manuel Locatelli – 6.5

The Juventus captain made important interventions at the back, and held his own against Ederson, but his attacking contribution was limited this time.

Khephren Thuram – 6

 ............

Andrea Cambiaso – 5

The Genoa youth product was in a sea of troubles when defending against Charles De Ketelaere and Davide Zappacosta, while his attacking contributions weren’t always on cue.

Francisco Conceicao – 6.5

 ............

Kenan Yildiz – 5.5

The Turkish star created Juve’s solitary chance of the first half when he found Kelly with an accurate cross. However, Luciano Spalletti decided to haul him off early in the second period after losing possession in dangerous areas one too many times. He was obviously struggling with fitness.

Jeremie Boga – 6.5

Like Holm, the Ivorian produced the goods against his former employers. After a listless first half, he was able to pounce on a goalmouth scramble to score, albeit with a scrappy touch. He also ran more than any other player in what was a generous display.

Substitutes

Jonathan David – 6

 ............

Federico Gatti – 6.5

A convincing cameo from the Italian defender who solidified Juve’s backline and made crucial blocks, albeit he risked giving away a penalty for a handball.

Teun Koopmeiners – 5.5

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Fabio Miretti – N/A

Filip Kostic – N/A

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/juventus-player-ratings-vs-atalanta-boga-holm-return-to-haunt-bergamo/