By the eve of Sassuolo-Juventus, the story was no longer just about preserving a strong start. Juventus arrived at the fourth giornata with two wins and one draw, but also with a list of absences large enough to shape the way Spalletti thinks about the match. That is why his 16:00 press conference mattered: it was less a routine preview than a look at how Juve plan to keep their momentum without one of their key reference points.
The biggest name in that discussion was Locatelli. Spalletti made the point plainly: there was regret over what happened to him, and his absence, in his words, spreads responsibility across the rest of the squad. That is an important detail. It suggests Juventus do not intend to replace Locatelli with a single like-for-like solution so much as redistribute control, passing duties and leadership across the team.
Spalletti also pushed back against the idea that the starting shape itself should be treated as the deciding factor. He has said before that players are not static once the game begins, and that point feels especially relevant here. Without Locatelli, he said, Juventus still have the possibility to use any tactical system. In other words, the absence matters, but it does not lock Juve into one version of the match.
Douglas Luiz and the tactical picture
That flexibility becomes even more interesting in light of what Spalletti said about Douglas Luiz. He described the Brazilian's ideal role as a mediano-mezzala, one that allows him to move forward and explore different spaces. That is a useful clue about how Juventus may try to build around him: not as a fixed piece, but as a midfielder who can change the rhythm and create variety in the middle of the pitch.
Spalletti also stressed the player's desire to stay at Juve, noting that he turned down other situations and that this pleased the club. He added that this willingness to make a difference for the team is visible in the way Douglas Luiz approaches his role. Taken together, those remarks suggest a player who is not just available in the squad, but being viewed as part of Juventus' broader tactical evolution.
There was also a note on Kolo Muani, though it fit the same larger theme rather than changing it. Spalletti's comments before the match pointed to a side trying to solve immediate selection problems while keeping enough tactical freedom to adjust. That is where Juventus are right now: not at full strength, but still trying to make the most of a good start.
The challenge against Sassuolo is obvious. Juventus have opened the season well, drew against Milan and now want continuity. But continuity is easiest when the team is stable, and Spalletti's briefing made clear that this one is being built under pressure. The good news for Juve is that he does not sound like a coach searching for excuses. He sounds like one looking for options.
That may be the most encouraging detail of all. If Juventus can keep their structure, share the responsibility and get useful performances from players like Douglas Luiz, then Locatelli's absence may be a problem without becoming a crisis. In a league season, that distinction matters almost as much as the result itself.
