Juventus Begin Spalletti Era Against Frosinone
Juventus start the Spalletti era with a trip that looks gentle on paper and anything but in reality.
On Sunday, the Bianconeri open their Serie A campaign away to newly promoted Frosinone, carrying into the season a quiet confidence built over a sharp, controlled pre-season under Luciano Spalletti.
Spalletti’s Juventus take shape
August offered Juventus a first glimpse of life under their new coach, and the signs were largely positive. They edged Chelsea 1–0, then stepped up a gear with a 2–0 win over Palermo. A 2–0 victory against Juventus Next Gen rounded off the schedule.
Only Inter Milan managed to puncture the mood, sneaking a 2–1 win in the standout friendly of the summer. Even that narrow defeat, though, came with enough structure and intensity to suggest Spalletti’s ideas are landing quickly.
Now comes the real test.
Thin at the back, bold up front
Spalletti travels without one of his most reliable defenders. Federico Gatti misses out with an ankle problem, trimming Juventus’ options at centre-back at precisely the moment when newly promoted opponents tend to play with nothing to lose.
Young forward Jeff Ekhator is also unavailable, another attacking body removed from the bench.
There is a notable absentee in goal as well. Michele Di Gregorio has been left out of the travelling squad as his expected move to Premier League side Bournemouth edges closer, underlining how decisively Juventus have turned the page in that position.
The upside? It is a big one.
Spalletti confirmed that marquee summer signings Guglielmo Vicario and Randal Kolo Muani are fully fit and will walk straight into the starting XI for their competitive debuts. No easing in. No gentle cameos. They are in to define the new look of this team.
Vicario takes the gloves and, with Di Gregorio on his way out, instantly becomes the reference point at the back. In front of him, a reshaped defence is likely to feature Pierre Kalulu, Bremer and Lloyd Kelly, with Andrea Cambiaso offering width and energy down the flank.
Higher up the pitch, the plan is clear: control the middle, unleash the front line.
Manuel Locatelli and Douglas Luiz are set to anchor midfield, a blend of craft, bite and tempo that Spalletti will lean on heavily this season. Ahead of them, Kenan Yıldız, Weston McKennie and Francisco Conceição will be tasked with prising open a Frosinone side eager to prove it belongs at this level.
At the tip of it all stands Kolo Muani, leading the line from day one. His movement in behind, his willingness to press, his ability to attack space – all of it will be central to how quickly Juventus can turn possession into chances against a team likely to sit deep and spring forward.
Predicted Juventus XI
Spalletti is expected to line up his side as follows:
Vicario; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Luiz; Conceicao, McKennie, Yildiz; Kolo Muani.
It is an XI that signals intent. Fresh faces in key roles, a midfield built to dictate, and an attack designed to be aggressive rather than cautious.
Kick-off time and how to watch
Frosinone vs Juventus kicks off at 5:30pm BST on Sunday, 23rd August.
In the United Kingdom, the Serie A clash will be shown live exclusively on DAZN.
A new coach, new signings, and an opener against a fearless promoted side: Juventus are stepping into a new chapter. How quickly they make it their own will tell us plenty about where this season is heading.
