Juventus found a way back into their evening in Cagliari through one player: Edon Zhegrova. When Luciano Spalletti turned to the Kosovo international, the side gained the invention and attacking weight it had been lacking, creating enough to deserve more than it ultimately took from the match. It was another reminder that Zhegrova can alter the rhythm of a Serie A contest, even if his availability must still be handled carefully.
That makes Juventus’ decision to leave him out of the Europa League squad look increasingly costly. The club had considered a sale during the summer, partly because offers had arrived and partly because of financial considerations. Zhegrova did not pursue the opportunities presented to him, however, with no desire at this stage to accept approaches from Saudi Arabia or other less competitive destinations.
Rather than force an exit, he elected to remain at Juventus and offer himself to Spalletti for the domestic campaign. His contribution in Sardinia suggested that this has been the right response. Zhegrova had already offered glimpses of his quality in previous appearances, but Cagliari underlined his value at a point when Juventus needed a different attacking answer.
His season has nevertheless been shaped by fitness concerns. Igor Tudor was scarcely able to call upon him in the opening part of the previous campaign, while Spalletti has involved him more regularly since late November. Even then, the coach has had to regulate his minutes because of Zhegrova’s physical condition.
Spalletti has previously called him “Mister Zeppetta”, a reference to the refinement of his touch. The coach values his ability to receive and operate in tight spaces, and to bring an element of surprise to Juventus’ forward play. Those qualities were visible again at Cagliari, where his arrival helped the team take a firmer hold of the game.
There is not yet a straightforward contest for the right-sided role with Francisco Conceiçao. Zhegrova’s workload means he cannot be treated as an equal-minute alternative, but he provides dependable cover and gives Conceiçao the pressure to maintain his level. For Juventus, that depth could matter across the long Serie A season.
The lingering frustration is Europe. Zhegrova will be unable to help Juventus in the Europa League, where his experience and technical quality could have broadened Spalletti’s options. In the league, though, Cagliari showed that a player once considered expendable may still have an important part to play.
