Juventus return from Europe with confidence, but not with much time. Thursday’s 5-0 Europa League win over NEC Nijmegen lifted the mood at Continassa, yet the calendar has left Luciano Spalletti with only one full training session before Atalanta arrive at the Allianz Stadium for an 18:00 kick-off.
The coach and the club
The day after the European victory was devoted to recovery work, making the final session before Atalanta especially important for Spalletti and his staff. It will settle the matchday squad and offer the clearest indication of how far Juventus can restore the players rested or rotated in midweek.
There have been no significant physical after-effects reported among the rest of the squad after the opening European fixture. Even so, the compressed preparation means that decisions will be left until the final checks.
Andrea Cambiaso is the principal absentee. The wing-back returned to group training, but the test did not provide enough reassurance over an ankle which, while no longer as painful as before, is still causing discomfort. Juventus and the player have decided against taking risks before an international break that will be twice the usual length.
Cambiaso is therefore expected to resume his comeback at the beginning of October, when Juventus travel to Cagliari, rather than be pushed into the Atalanta match.
Selection questions before Atalanta
Spalletti is expected to bring several regulars back after the partial rotation against NEC. Guglielmo Vicario should return in goal, Gleison Bremer is set to come back into central defence, and Francisco Conceiçao is among those in line to feature further forward.
Two areas, however, remain open in the coach’s probable 3-4-2-1. Juventus will weigh recent performances rather than simply revert to the side used before Europe.
- Pape Matar Sarr brought a level of running and energy in midfield that Juventus had not previously seen in that area, putting Teun Koopmeiners’ starting place in doubt against the club he formerly represented.
- Randal Kolo Muani strengthened his case with a goal and an assist after coming on against NEC, although Nick Woltemade has also made clear progress in his physical condition.
The attacking rotation does not necessarily require one to displace the other completely. Kolo Muani and Woltemade could also be used together as the match develops, giving Spalletti another option during a demanding Sunday-afternoon test against Atalanta.
