Randal Kolo Muani’s first goal since returning to Juventus arrived after 371 minutes, easing the burden that had built around a major summer investment and restoring some confidence before the meeting with Atalanta. The French forward made his mark against NEC in Europe, producing an assist and a goal after coming on in the second half.
A costly return and a slower beginning
Juventus spent €38 million, with a further €12 million in bonuses, to bring Kolo Muani back to Continassa after a pursuit that lasted a year and stretched across three transfer windows. The potential €50 million total inevitably raised expectations for a player whose first spell in Turin had begun with remarkable momentum.
Having arrived during the January 2025 window, Kolo Muani scored five times in his opening three Juventus appearances. He finished that campaign with 10 goals and three assists from 22 matches, helping Igor Tudor’s side secure Champions League football.
This season, however, his first four league outings brought no return on the scoresheet. He started every match and completed each of the 90 minutes, but the opening weeks left questions over both his finishing and his role in the side.
- At Frosinone, his league debut was marked by a significant missed opportunity.
- Against Parma at the Stadium, he had little influence on the contest.
- He was afforded virtually no clear chance in the match against Milan.
- The Sassuolo fixture represented the lowest point of Juventus’ early-season run.
Spalletti finds a different use for Kolo Muani
The discussion around the striker was principally tactical. Used as a central reference expected to receive possession with his back to goal, hold it up and bring team-mates into play, Kolo Muani had not looked entirely at ease.
He has the physical presence to operate through the middle, but his most effective moments tend to come when he can attack open ground, accelerate beyond defenders and run towards goal. The evidence from the NEC match suggested that he may benefit from having another forward ahead of him to occupy defenders and create a route into space.
Luciano Spalletti initially selected Woltemade to lead the line against the Dutch visitors, leaving Kolo Muani among the substitutes. He was introduced in the 71st minute, with Juventus placing him on the left side behind Woltemade while Conceiçao worked from the right.
Two bursts, one overdue goal
NEC did not provide the sternest defensive examination, but the night gave Kolo Muani the kind of platform he needed. He made an immediate impact through the qualities that had been missing from Juventus’ opening league matches: pace, direct running and the ability to take defenders on.
- His first driving run created the opportunity for Celik to score Juventus’ fourth goal.
- His next break into open space ended with his own finish, his first goal of this second Juventus spell.
The goal did not erase the frustrations of the previous four league fixtures, nor does one European appearance settle the question of his best position. But after 371 minutes without scoring, Kolo Muani has given Juventus and Spalletti a more encouraging clue: he may be more dangerous when allowed to start wider and attack the spaces around a central forward.
Atalanta will offer a clearer test. For Juventus, the next league match will show whether the NEC performance was simply relief on a favourable evening or the beginning of a more convincing role for a forward the club has invested heavily to bring back.
