Juventus have used the break to state their immediate standard plainly: qualification for the Champions League. For a club whose history ultimately demands trophies, the current task is more practical. Luciano Spalletti must keep the side competitive through a difficult spell, while the directors prepare a January intervention that cannot be delayed.
The decision
Giovanni Carnevali, Juventus’ chief executive, set out the priority at the Festival della Gazzetta in Trento: a place in the Champions League is essential. Winning remains the larger ambition written into the club’s identity, but Juventus first need to secure the platform from which that ambition can be rebuilt.
The opening month has not made the coach’s work straightforward. Kenan Yildiz, Manuel Locatelli and Khephren Thuram have all been lost, alongside further important absences. Removing three players of that importance from any of the Scudetto contenders would change the balance of their campaign; Juventus have had to absorb precisely that kind of disruption.
Injuries cannot be solved by a decision in an office. The response to them, however, can be. Juventus have approved a further €250 million capital increase, and although the money will serve needs beyond recruitment, part of it must now be directed towards the squad Spalletti has inherited.
The clearest requirement is a centre-forward capable of finishing chances. Spalletti himself made the point when discussing Kolo Muani: Juventus lack a reliable final touch in attack. The club need to have their chosen striker ready when the transfer window opens on 28 December, rather than allowing another deadline-day chase to shape the winter.
That lesson comes directly from the summer. Nick Woltemade arrived in Turin only on the final available day after a long and unproductive wait. This time the plan should run in the opposite direction: a new number nine should be in place immediately, with time to work before the league resumes away to Bologna on 3 January and before the meeting with Inter on 10 January.
The next 70 days will therefore carry two connected responsibilities. Spalletti’s role is to protect Juventus’ position and bring back as many senior injured players as possible. The board’s parallel job is to deliver an attacker who gives the coach a genuine route towards the Champions League places.
There is also a case for favouring a forward already familiar with Serie A rather than a more speculative signing needing months to settle. Lecce’s Nikola Krstovic, currently sharing duties with Gianluca Scamacca, fits that description. Udinese forward Keinan Davis, nearing his return, is another player with knowledge of the role and the division.
Neither target would necessarily be simple to obtain. But Juventus cannot afford to reach 28 December without a prepared solution. Carnevali’s target has made the consequence clear: Champions League football is not merely desirable in Turin this season; it is the first result the club must secure.
