Juventus lost 2:3 to Sassuolo in the fourth round of Serie A. The late comeback led by Edon Zhegrova was not enough. The match exposed three problems that continue to hold the Turin side back.
Juventus still lacks a clear identity
Luciano Spalletti has not yet given the team a consistent style. Juventus can play good stretches, but it still struggles to control the whole game. Against Sassuolo, the team did not have a repeatable way to move the opposition and create space in the final third.
When the match became more open, Juventus relied on individual moments. That was enough to score twice through Zhegrova, but not enough to protect the result after each equaliser.
Midfield remains a concern
The absence of Manuel Locatelli was important. Juventus missed a player who can organise the build-up and protect the area in front of the defence. Douglas Luiz took on more responsibility, but the midfield did not give the team enough control.
Teun Koopmeiners is still searching for regular influence, while the role of Weston McKennie has not become fully clear. Until Locatelli returns, Spalletti must find a stable solution in the centre of the pitch.
The attack needs more goals
Randal Kolo Muani is still waiting for his first league goal of the season. He contributed to Zhegrova’s second goal against Sassuolo, but Juventus needs more from its main attacking options.
Nick Woltemade has only just arrived and has not started a match yet. The German needs time, but the wider problem is already clear: Juventus cannot rely on late interventions and goals from defenders to build its campaign.
The defeat in Reggio Emilia does not decide the season. It does show what Spalletti has to fix first: the team’s identity, midfield control and attacking efficiency. Without progress in those areas, Juventus will keep reacting to matches instead of dictating them.
Źródło: Get Football News Italy.
