Juventus, half revolution to dream of feat with Galatasaray: Spalletti’s moves

On the eve of the challenge against the Galatasaray, to be faced on the roar to overturn the heavy first leg deficit, emergencies in the Juventus home dictate adaptations. Bremer is still not at his best and is expected to start from the bench, Holm is out, while Cabal and Cambiaso are disqualified. Luciano Spalletti does not seem intent on dusting off profiles that have ended up on the sidelines only to change the system. A discourse that concerns above all Filip Kostić: his employment would force a return to the three-man defense seen against Como, a solution unsuitable both to contain the Turkish outfielders (ready to reintroduce the 4-2-3-1) and to ensure superiority in the last meters.

And then room for wildcard McKennie, already adapted in the first leg even as a center forward in place of David. This time he should preside over the left-hand lane in the 4-3-3, with similar tasks to Cambiaso’s: coverage in the four-man line together with Kalulu, Gatti and Kelly, but also vertical projections once the ball is recovered, to support Yildiz (ahead of Boga) and widen the options for the midfielders. In the middle of the field, confirmation for Teun Koopmeiners, star of the first leg with a double that remained in the shadows. Next to him Manuel Locatelli and Khéphren Thuram: Locatelli will act a few meters further back to orchestrate the maneuver, leaving more freedom for the insertions of his teammates.

Forward should return from the first minute Francisco Conceição and Jonathan David, with Yildiz completing the trident. To reopen the race for the round of 16, Juve will have to be daring, taking advantage of the Turks’ defensive frailties. It is not ruled out that, in some phases, the set-up will turn into a 4-2-4, with alternating insertions of Thuram and Koopmeiners to fill the area.

To pass the round, a feat will be needed: at least three goals difference in the 90 minutes to drag the challenge to extra time, four to qualify directly. Juventus is called for a test bordering on perfection, with the margin for error reduced to a minimum and the obligation to believe in it until the last ball.