Luciano Spalletti has made it clear that Juventus go into Sassuolo Vs Juventus with a competitive edge, but the squad picture for Matchday 4 is not straightforward. Manuel Locatelli is a source of regret for the Juventus coach, while Weston McKennie and Andrea Cambiaso are also uncertain for the away trip to Emilia-Romagna.
On Sunday, 13 September, Juventus are scheduled to face Sassuolo away in Serie A, and Spalletti used his traditional MD-1 press conference to set the tone. He said this week has given him a positive impression of the group, stressing that the players have trained well and are ready to respond to whatever the game throws at them.
Spalletti wants Juventus to impose themselves
“We’ll start by saying that we’re sorry about what happened to [Manuel] Locatelli,” Spalletti said, underlining the fact that Juventus will have to manage without him. That absence matters because it removes one more option from a match that already looks demanding before a ball has even been kicked.
The coach’s broader message was about attitude as much as availability. “This week I’ve seen a team that’s very willing to fight against whatever it comes up against, a team that’s trained very well,” he said. That is the kind of line supporters like to hear before a difficult away fixture, especially when selection problems are already building.
A tough test in Emilia-Romagna
Spalletti was in no mood to underestimate Sassuolo. He described the visit as “a really tough game against a well-coached team,” and his comments suggested real respect for Alberto Aquilani’s side and the style reflected in the team. For Juventus, that means the challenge is not just to play well, but to control the match on their own terms.
That is why his demand was so direct. “We have to go out and win games. We have to impose ourselves by playing like Juventus and raising our level even further. We have to go beyond anything that happens to us,” he said. It is a message that goes beyond one match and speaks to the standard expected of the club.
What Juventus need from the returning core
Spalletti’s comments also point to the importance of Teun Koopmeiners and Douglas Luiz in helping Juventus maintain balance and authority if the injury picture limits other choices. With Locatelli unavailable and McKennie and Cambiaso still doubtful, the available midfield and support options become even more significant.
The next question is whether Juventus can turn that fighting spirit into a controlled away performance. Spalletti has already set the expectation: Juventus must impose themselves, raise their level, and show that even a difficult trip to Sassuolo will not be enough to knock them off course.
