Juventus travel to Cagliari with Luciano Spalletti asking his side to treat the sixth round as an exercise in concentration rather than a debate about absences, numbers or recent setbacks. A win would take the Bianconeri to 13 points from six matches and give the coach their strongest start in seven Serie A seasons.
The 10 points collected over the opening five rounds have not satisfied every Juventus supporter, but the table offers Spalletti a chance to match Massimiliano Allegri’s 2023-24 opening return. Juventus would move ahead of the starts made under Andrea Pirlo, Thiago Motta and Igor Tudor, each of whom reached 12 points after six fixtures.
Quick facts
- Cagliari host Juventus in Serie A’s sixth matchday.
- Juventus have 10 points from their first five league games.
- Victory would lift Spalletti’s team to 13 points, level with Allegri’s 2023-24 start.
- Andrea Cambiaso completed every training session normally.
- Edon Zhegrova has alternated between the likely starting and non-starting groups in the final sessions.
- The match is exclusively available on DAZN, including its Sky channel 214 for subscribers with the relevant package.
Spalletti said Cambiaso had trained without problems and stressed that Juventus must work with the players currently available. His message was that a season cannot be cleared of every obstacle, and that the response must be to face difficulties rather than spend time describing them.
“We are pleased with the players at our disposal and we will go there with them, trying to win the match,” Spalletti said.
The Juventus coach also urged caution over Cagliari’s record. He recognised the work done by Fabio Pisacane and club president Tommaso Giulini, saying Cagliari had earned their points, while adding that last season’s victory over Juventus had not been deserved.
Spalletti expects a demanding afternoon against a Cagliari side prepared to leave space before attacking quickly after regaining possession. He noted their ability to play through transitions and said they have brought out the potential of several players, highlighting Daniel Maldini’s form this season.
“We must be sharp, determined, alert and intense,” he said, with Juventus expected to take responsibility for the ball in Sardinia.
Zhegrova remains one of the selection questions after changing sides between the probable starters and reserves during the last two training sessions. Spalletti was encouraged by the return of his internationals, saying they had come back with the right mentality and showed good focus and rhythm in the final two or three sessions.
On the wider issue of managing the squad after a demanding schedule, Spalletti described a straightforward approach: longer recovery periods where possible, with individual programmes for those who have remained at Continassa. The aim is to reduce the accumulated fatigue that follows closely packed matches.
Cagliari are expected to line up with Elia Caprile in goal; Ze Pedro, Yerry Mina, Juan Rodriguez and Adam Obert in defence; Filippo Romano, Harry Winks and Jacopo Fazzini in midfield; Michel Adopo and Maldini behind Mendy. Pisacane is set to lead the home side.
Juventus are expected to use a back three of Pierre Kalulu, Bremer and Jhon Lucumi ahead of Guglielmo Vicario. Weston McKennie, Sarr, Douglas Luiz and Cambiaso could form the midfield line, with Francisco Conceicao and Nico Gonzalez supporting Randal Kolo Muani. Spalletti will make the final call after the last checks.
For Juventus, the fixture is not merely about improving an early points total. It is another test of whether Spalletti’s group can turn a restless opening mood into a steadier league rhythm, against a Cagliari team ready to make the visitors carry the initiative.
