Juventus vs Frosinone: Spalletti's Era Begins
Juventus kick off the Luciano Spalletti era on Sunday with a potentially awkward Serie A opener away to newly promoted Frosinone, carrying into the campaign the calm assurance of a sharp pre-season.
Spalletti’s side arrive with credit in the bank. August brought controlled, businesslike wins: 1–0 over Chelsea, 2–0 against Palermo, and a final 2–0 tune‑up against Juventus Next Gen. The only blemish was a narrow 2–1 defeat to Inter Milan, a reminder of the standard they must hit but hardly a cause for alarm.
Spalletti’s first statement XI
The new coach has problems to solve at the back before he even names his first competitive lineup. Federico Gatti, one of the most reliable centre-backs in the squad, misses out with an ankle injury, trimming Juventus’ defensive options at exactly the moment Spalletti would prefer stability. Young forward Jeff Ekhator is also sidelined.
There is another notable absentee. Goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio has not been included in the travelling squad, with his expected move to Premier League side Bournemouth looming. It clears the stage for one of the headline arrivals of the summer.
Guglielmo Vicario, signed to be a long-term solution in goal, will start and wear the gloves from day one. Ahead of him, Spalletti is expected to go with a back line of Pierre Kalulu, Bremer and Lloyd Kelly, with Andrea Cambiaso offering width and energy from full-back.
The real intrigue, though, lies further forward.
Randal Kolo Muani, the marquee attacking signing, leads the line and will make his competitive debut from the first whistle. Spalletti has built a lively, mobile support cast around him. Manuel Locatelli and Douglas Luiz anchor the midfield, tasked with dictating tempo and snapping into duels, while the creative burden falls on Kenan Yıldız, Weston McKennie and Francisco Conceição.
That trio will be asked to prise open a Frosinone side that will be desperate to make a statement on their return to the top flight. Quick combinations, aggressive pressing, and sharp movement between the lines will be central to Spalletti’s plan to avoid an early stumble.
Predicted Juventus XI
Vicario; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Luiz; Conceicao, McKennie, Yildiz; Kolo Muani.
Kick-off is set for 5:30pm BST on Sunday, 23rd August, with the game shown live in the United Kingdom exclusively on DAZN.
A new coach, a reshaped spine, and a promoted opponent with nothing to lose: Juventus do not just start a season in Frosinone. They start a new project under Spalletti, and the tone he sets on Sunday will echo through the months to come.
