Juventus Begins Spalletti Era Against Frosinone
Juventus kick off the Luciano Spalletti era on Sunday with a trip that looks gentle on paper but rarely is in reality: away to newly promoted Frosinone in Serie A.
A fresh coach, a reshaped spine, and a fanbase impatient for a return to the top. The real work starts at 5:30pm BST.
Spalletti’s Juventus take shape
Spalletti arrives in Turin with credit in the bank after a reassuring pre-season. Juventus moved through August with a controlled, businesslike edge: a 1–0 win over Chelsea, a 2–0 victory against Palermo, and a 2–0 success against Juventus Next Gen. Only Inter Milan managed to puncture the mood, edging a 2–1 friendly.
The performances mattered more than the scorelines. Juventus looked organised, compact, and increasingly comfortable with Spalletti’s demands. Now comes the first serious examination.
Team news: gaps at the back, big names up front
The new coach does not have a full deck to play with.
Federico Gatti, one of the most reliable figures in last season’s defence, misses out with an ankle injury. Young forward Jeff Ekhator is also unavailable, trimming the attacking options from the bench.
There is another notable absence. Michele Di Gregorio has been left out of the travelling squad as his expected move to Premier League side Bournemouth edges closer. A potential No. 1 for the future is instead on the verge of a new chapter in England.
Spalletti, though, can turn to his headline summer signings. Guglielmo Vicario and Randal Kolo Muani are not just in the squad; they start.
Vicario takes over in goal, immediately handed the responsibility of anchoring a new cycle. Ahead of him, a back line likely to feature Pierre Kalulu, Bremer and Lloyd Kelly, with Andrea Cambiaso offering thrust from the flank.
Kolo Muani leads the line, the focal point of an attack built to move with pace and intent. Behind him, Manuel Locatelli and Douglas Luiz form a midfield base that can both protect and dictate. Kenan Yıldız, Weston McKennie and Francisco Conceição will be asked to provide the creativity and movement needed to unpick a Frosinone side eager to prove they belong at this level.
For Spalletti, it is a blend of established Serie A nous and fresh energy. For Juventus, it is the first glimpse of what this new project might really look like when the points are on the line.
Predicted Juventus XI
Vicario; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Luiz; Conceicao, McKennie, Yildiz; Kolo Muani.
Kick-off time and TV details
Frosinone vs Juventus kicks off at 5:30pm BST on Sunday, 23rd August.
In the United Kingdom, the match will be shown live exclusively on DAZN.
A newly promoted side on home turf. A giant under new management. Spalletti’s Juventus do not get long to hide.
