Juventus return to Cagliari tomorrow with a demanding stretch ahead, and Kerim Alajbegovic is likely to be central to it. Between Serie A and the Europa League, Luciano Spalletti’s side will play every three days until the November international break, leaving little room for recovery or rotation without consequence.
A larger role after Yildiz’s injury
Alajbegovic arrived from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer for €30 million, with a further €5 million available in bonuses, after Juventus won a significant battle for his signature against Chelsea. At 19, the Bosnian had been expected to develop gradually behind Kenan Yildiz, the club’s No. 10 and one of the established figures in the first team.
That plan changed quickly. Yildiz broke his left foot on the opening day at Frosinone and is not expected back before December. With Yildiz unavailable, and Boga also absent, Juventus have had to bring Alajbegovic into the foreground sooner than anticipated.
- Alajbegovic has started four of Juventus’ first six matches of the season.
- He wears No. 17, in a role initially designed to allow him to grow alongside Yildiz.
- His first Juventus goal came against NEC, a firm right-foot finish from inside the penalty area.
- His dribbling and calmness while carrying the ball in transition have underlined why the club made such a substantial investment.
The league goal has not yet arrived, but Juventus see enough in his early performances to believe he can supply imagination and personality during a period when Spalletti will need contributions throughout his squad.
Spalletti sees a player who can change the rhythm
The Juventus coach had hoped to protect Alajbegovic from excessive expectation, but the injury situation has accelerated his path. Spalletti must now judge carefully whether the teenager starts at Cagliari or is introduced during the match, with the calendar offering no margin for reckless use of his players.
Spalletti has described the forward as a player capable of producing an immediate shift in a game: “He is one of those players who creates a shock in time. He gives a strong jolt and enhances the move he sees.”
That assessment reflects both Alajbegovic’s technical quality and his willingness to accept responsibility. Juventus need him to become more than a promising option while key attacking players are sidelined; the coming run of league and European fixtures will test whether he can carry that burden.
Confidence forged with Bosnia
Alajbegovic’s international performances suggest that the stage does not intimidate him. He has already played an important part for Bosnia, contributing to their World Cup qualification campaign by converting one of the penalties against Wales in the play-off semi-finals and scoring a notable goal against Qatar during the first phase.
During the latest international break, Bosnia coach Sergej Barbarez used him for 267 minutes across the opening three Nations League matches against Poland, Romania and Sweden. He assisted Haris Tabakovic against Romania and scored Bosnia’s equaliser against Sweden.
- He featured in almost all of Bosnia’s first three Nations League fixtures.
- He missed the fourth match, again against Poland, as a precaution after suffering cramp against Sweden.
- Juventus initially monitored the situation closely, but there were no lasting effects.
- Alajbegovic has trained normally at Continassa and is available for the trip to Cagliari.
For Juventus, the immediate concern is no longer whether he is fit enough to contribute. It is how much can be asked of him before November arrives. In Cagliari, the first assignment of a crowded autumn, Alajbegovic has an opportunity to turn growing trust into a more decisive place in Spalletti’s team.
