Juventus head to Reggio Emilia on Tuesday with a point to prove after a frustrating start to the new year. A weekend draw that felt more like two points dropped than one gained has cooled the early optimism around a sustained winning run, and Sassuolo, never a comfortable opponent for the Bianconeri, stand in the way of a swift response.
The mood in Turin shifted quickly on Saturday night. Having built momentum through a run of victories in both Serie A and Europe, Juventus appeared poised to extend their surge. Instead, they were punished for wastefulness. Despite controlling long spells against Lecce, they conceded against the run of play before relying on Weston McKennie to restore parity. Missed chances followed in quick succession, Jonathan David failed from the spot, Kenan Yildiz struck the woodwork, and Loïs Openda spurned late opportunities, leaving Luciano Spalletti to reflect on what might have been.
Spalletti’s influence on Juventus’ revival is undeniable. Seven wins from eight to close out 2025 transformed the narrative around his tenure, even prompting tentative talk of a title push. Yet that discussion feels premature given the congestion around the Champions League places and the margins currently defining Juve’s season. Tuesday’s trip therefore carries added weight: another slip could see rivals pull further clear.
Sassuolo, meanwhile, continue to carve out a credible return to the top flight. After bouncing straight back as Serie B champions, the Neroverdi have adapted well, blending control in midfield with pace and incision up front. They sit comfortably in mid-table and, while European qualification remains an outside ambition, their performances suggest a side capable of unsettling more established opponents.
Recent results, however, hint at a slight plateau. Back-to-back 1–1 draws against regional rivals Bologna and Parma stalled their progress. Against Parma, Fabio Grosso’s side led through Kristian Thorstvedt but failed to capitalise on periods of dominance, relying on goalkeeper Muric to preserve a point as chances came and went. The lack of a cutting edge in decisive moments has been their primary reminder of the step still required at this level.
History adds intrigue. Sassuolo have won their last two home meetings with Juventus, including a memorable pair of victories that featured goals from Domenico Berardi, Andrea Pinamonti and Armand Lauriente. Those results underline a recurring theme: when Juventus hesitate, Sassuolo are quick to pounce. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Sassuolo approach Tuesday’s contest with Juventus carrying a lengthy list of absentees that significantly affects both defence and attack. Woyo Coulibaly is unavailable due to his ongoing involvement at the Africa Cup of Nations; the Mali international was sent off before his country progressed past Tunisia in the round of 16 and remains away from club duty. Injury problems further complicate matters for Fabio Grosso, with Domenico Berardi, Cristian Volpato, Yeferson Paz, Daniel Boloca, and Filippo Romagna all sidelined. The absence of Berardi, in particular, removes Sassuolo’s most experienced creative outlet and a player who has historically thrived against Juventus.
At the back, responsibility will fall on former Juventus academy product Tarik Muharemovic, who is expected to marshal the defensive line in the absence of several senior options. Up front, Andrea Pinamonti is set to lead the attack, although his league form presents an unusual split: all four of his Serie A goals this season have come away from home, leaving Sassuolo still searching for a consistent scoring presence at the Mapei Stadium.
From a tactical perspective, Sassuolo are expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation, aiming to maintain midfield balance while using width to stretch Juventus’ back line. Arijanet Muric should start in goal, protected by a back four consisting of Sebastian Walukiewicz at right-back, Jay Idzes and Tarik Muharemovic as the central defensive pairing, and Ruan Cande operating from left-back. This unit will likely be tasked with staying compact and resisting sustained pressure.
In midfield, Kristian Thorstvedt is expected to provide forward thrust from a box-to-box role, alongside Nemanja Matic, who offers experience and positional discipline, and Ismael Kone, whose energy and ball-winning will be vital against Juventus’ midfield rotations. The front three should feature Fadera on the right, Andrea Pinamonti through the middle, and Armand Lauriente on the left, with the latter’s pace and direct dribbling representing Sassuolo’s primary threat on the counter.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Muric; Walukiewicz, Idzes, Muharemovic, Cande; Thorstvedt, Matic, Kone; Fadera, Pinamonti, Lauriente
Juventus head into Tuesday’s trip to Reggio Emilia with Luciano Spalletti once again keeping his cards close to his chest. Since arriving in Turin, the Italian coach has not been afraid to rotate personnel or tweak his system, meaning changes from the side held by Lecce remain a real possibility. In attack, Jonathan David is under pressure after missing a decisive penalty at the weekend, and he could make way for Loïs Openda, who offers greater directness and pressing intensity. Dušan Vlahović, last season’s leading scorer, remains unavailable as he continues his recovery on the treatment table.
Defensively, Juventus are still without centre-backs Daniele Rugani and Federico Gatti, limiting Spalletti’s options at the back. However, the versatility of Teun Koopmeiners provides an alternative solution if additional cover is required, with the Dutchman capable of dropping into the defensive line when needed. Aside from those absences, the squad is largely intact, giving Spalletti flexibility in both selection and in-game adjustments.
From a tactical perspective, Juventus are expected to continue with a 3-4-2-1 formation, a system that has underpinned their recent resurgence by offering defensive stability while allowing creative freedom in advanced areas. Michele Di Gregorio should start in goal, protected by a back three of Pierre Kalulu, Gleison Bremer, and Lloyd Kelly, combining pace, physicality, and composure in possession.
The wing-back roles are likely to be occupied by Weston McKennie on the right and Andrea Cambiaso on the left, both tasked with providing width and supporting transitions. In central midfield, Manuel Locatelli is expected to anchor play alongside Khephren Thuram, a pairing that balances positional discipline with ball-carrying power. Ahead of them, Francisco Conceicao and Kenan Yildiz should operate between the lines, drifting into pockets to link play and create chances. Leading the line, Lois Openda is favoured see to start as the lone striker, offering pace and movement to stretch Sassuolo’s defence.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly; McKennie, Locatelli, Thuram, Cambiaso; Concecicao, Yildiz; Openda
If Juventus are to turn control into a decisive edge in Reggio Emilia, Kenan Yildiz is likely to be at the heart of it. The young forward has become Juventus’ most reliable attacking outlet this season, combining technical quality with a growing sense of responsibility in the final third.
The Turkish international excels in finding space between the lines, drifting intelligently to receive on the half-turn and drive at retreating defences. Against a Sassuolo side expected to sit compact and look to counter, his ability to disrupt defensive shape through quick changes of direction could prove crucial. He has also shown a willingness to take risks, whether through early shots, threaded passes, or late runs into the box, traits Juventus have sometimes lacked in tight away fixtures.
Beyond raw output, Yildiz’s influence is evident in how Juventus attack as a unit. His movement often opens lanes for wing-backs to advance and creates overloads for midfield runners arriving late. With Sassuolo missing several key defenders, this may be a fixture where Yildiz is encouraged to take on more responsibility in one-v-one situations. If Juventus are to avoid another frustrating night, expect Yıldız to be central to any breakthrough they manage to engineer.
This fixture has a habit of punishing complacency, and Juventus will be acutely aware of Sassuolo’s recent success against them in Reggio Emilia. The hosts are well organised and dangerous in transition, but their current injury list and lack of a consistent home goalscorer limit their attacking ceiling.
Juventus, despite frustration at the weekend, are controlling games more effectively under Luciano Spalletti. If they are sharper in decisive moments and avoid the lapses that have previously haunted them here, their greater depth and quality between the lines should tell.
