Juventus: Vlahovic out for two months, Spalletti to reshape attack | OneFootball

Dusan Vlahovic risks a prolonged absence. The first assessments from the Bianconeri medical staff, while awaiting the complete reports from the tests carried out at J Medical, indicate a significant strain to his left adductor.

Juventus, Vlahovic facing a two-month layoff: how Spalletti can reinvent the Bianconeri attack

Luciano Spalletti, in the post-match interview after the game against Cagliari, confirmed it in no uncertain terms: “He’s pulled a muscle, he’ll be out for quite a while.” The most optimistic estimates speak of 5-6 weeks, but it’s not ruled out that recovery could take up to two months.

The dynamics of the injury

The Serbian striker stopped at the peak of exertion during a shot, aggravating a discomfort that had already been present for a few days. Spalletti had managed him between the Champions League and the league, but the situation worsened during the match in Turin. The impact on Juve’s season is clear: Vlahovic is the most reliable finisher in the squad, and his absence forces the coach to rethink the entire offensive system.

Openda and David: more responsibility, more pressure

Lois Openda and Jonathan David are the main candidates to fill the void left by the number 9. Both, however, are experiencing a patchy run of form. Openda, fresh off his first goal in the Bianconeri shirt in the Champions League, struggled again against Cagliari. David, who came on for Vlahovic, had trouble getting mentally into the game, making several mistakes in his passing and drawing criticism from the fans.

For both, Vlahovic’s absence represents a crossroads: more playing time, less margin for error, and the task of carrying the attack without the main reference point.

The new Juve without Vlahovic: Spalletti’s solutions

Spalletti is considering several configurations to maintain balance and attacking depth. There are three main options.

1. David – Openda together, with Yildiz behind

This is the most intriguing scenario tactically: a complementary pair up front (David to link play, Openda to attack the space) with Kenan Yildiz positioned between the lines. The coach has often highlighted the Turkish player’s natural inclination to move through central areas, a role in which he can provide quality, unpredictability, and the final pass.

2. Openda as center-forward and Yildiz free to create

A solution closer to the setup used so far. Openda would act as the sole advanced reference, while David would become an option off the bench. This scheme would allow room for players like Conceiçao, without distorting the system consolidated in the early matches.

3. The “Spalletti move”: Yildiz as a false nine

The most radical idea, but not so far-fetched. Yildiz has already played as a striker in the youth teams and possesses technical skill, the ability to attack space, and a striker’s instinct. Spalletti appreciates him for his vision and quality in tight spaces, and a more fluid, less rigid Juventus could benefit from his mobile interpretation of the role.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.