Randal Kolo Muani’s search for authority at Juventus has not yet found its turning point. The French forward was unable to register a shot on target in the friendly against Cremonese, a match Luciano Spalletti had hoped could offer both a lift in confidence and a useful step in his work during the international break.
For a club that pursued Kolo Muani across three transfer windows, and then committed €38 million plus a possible €12 million in bonuses last summer, the early return has been modest. His only goal this season has come against NEC in the Europa League, while his league contribution has left Juventus needing more from their No. 9.
A striker short of attempts
Across the matches against Frosinone, Parma, NEC and Atalanta, Kolo Muani has managed one effort on target in each game. He did not test the goalkeeper against Milan or Sassuolo, leaving him with only four shots on target overall.
The wider shooting numbers offer little comfort. He has sent four attempts off target and seen another four blocked, amounting to one attempt every 39 minutes. For the central forward in a Juventus side expected to compete through the full Serie A season, it is a figure that underlines the present concern.
It is a marked contrast with his first spell in Turin, when he scored five goals in his opening three appearances from five shots on target. That ruthless opening has not carried into the last year and a half, and Spalletti is now trying to restore the player’s sharpness rather than simply wait for it to return.
Cremonese match brings familiar problems
The meeting with Cremonese followed the same pattern. Kolo Muani did not trouble either goalkeeper, with Agazzi playing first and Fulignati later. He also struggled in several physical contests with the opposing centre-backs, Federico Baschirotto and Sebastiano Luperto.
There was one promising moment. The forward controlled the ball and accelerated into the area, getting beyond Luperto before contact from the defender prevented him from getting a shot away. Referee Restaldo did not award a penalty.
Otherwise, Kolo Muani frequently moved towards the flanks, areas where he appears more comfortable. His willingness cannot be questioned: he covers ground, presses and offers himself around the pitch. In five Serie A fixtures he has run 53.3 kilometres, the fourth-highest total among Juventus players behind Pierre Kalulu, Bremer and Douglas Luiz.
Yet Juventus did not recruit him merely for running power or wide combinations. They need his movements to end closer to goal, and his work rate to translate into chances and finishes.
Spalletti’s task after the break
Spalletti intended to use the long international interval to improve the Frenchman’s mood, physical condition and attacking movements. The Cremonese friendly, however, did not provide the breakthrough Juventus were seeking.
The campaign is still long enough for Kolo Muani to alter the narrative, but the immediate issue is clear. Juventus have a forward prepared to work for the side; they now need the forward who can decide matches in the penalty area.
