The Old Lady took quite a beating. On Tuesday evening, they were spanked 5-2 by Galatasaray in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League play-off. A defeat which condemns the Piedmontese to the feat during the return leg on Wednesday evening in Turin. But it remains to be seen whether Luciano Spalletti’s players will have regained their senses to erase this bad memory and save their skin in the most beautiful of European competitions. What is certain is that this setback has left serious traces within the Bianconera team. This Thursday, Tuttosport makes a broad update on the situation of Juve, on the edge of the abyss which will play a big role in the coming days but also during the coming weeks. A revolution is in preparation according to our colleagues.
“We have to set the bar higher: how many times has Luciano Spalletti repeated these words, especially during the winter transfer window? It refers to the need to buy not only to fill vacant positions, but also to bring real and concrete added value to Juventus. This refrain will resonate even more this summer, like a mantra: because it will then no longer be a question of repairing the damage, but of restructuring, even revolutionizing the team. Especially since the last transfer windows have not given the expected results: resources have been invested, and even a lot, but the results are meager. And in a season where 4th place risks being the only realistic objective between now and February, this observation is all the more relevant.”
A summer revolution in the making
Tuttosport precise “the defeat suffered in Istanbul, as bitter as it was, highlighted the flaws of a squad which proves incapable of competing at the highest level in all competitions (…) One certainty is essential, which must be consolidated quickly: starting from scratch with Luciano Spalletti.” The Italian coach obviously has nothing to worry about, even if everything can still happen very quickly in football. He should also be listened to a little more regarding the club’s needs for the next summer transfer window. Indeed, the transalpine publication indicates that the Bianconeri will be looking for a star striker. Already approached in the past, Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray) is still very popular. He has the advantage of knowing Serie A well since his time at Naples.
In addition, a midfielder and reinforcements on the wings as well as in defense are hoped for. There is therefore work to be done for the Old Lady, who wants to build around Kenan Yildiz and who will have to succeed in his recruitment unlike last summer. Moreover, she does not intend to continue the adventure with certain recruits considered disappointing. This is the case of Edon Zhegrova, who was bought for €20 million including bonus from LOSC. Courted for a long time by Olympique de Marseille, who for a time had his preference, the Kosovar finally crossed the border to join Turin where he signed until June 2030. A choice that he explained during his presentation to the press.
Zhegrova pushed out
“I am very happy and proud to be at Juve. The feedback from these first days is positive. Was it Jonathan David who convinced me? The club and the project. And then, of course, I also know David. I know the team has a lot of quality and that’s why I chose it.” After words, it’s time to act. But we cannot say that his first season in Italy was a great success. In fact, he has only been used 374 minutes this season. In his 18 appearances in all competitions, he only started once. For the rest, he came on during matches or sometimes did not come off the bench (14 matches, and he also missed 2 matches due to injury). This was the case on Tuesday in Istanbul, where he was glued to the bench. This has happened 5 times in the last 7 matches of the Piedmontese. Piedmontese with whom he has a record of 0 goals and 0 assists.
Beyond the numbers and despite some highlights, he does not fully meet the expectations of Spalletti and Juve, who have already made a decision regarding him. Tuttosport assures that he will not stay more than one season with the Old Lady, who wants to find him a way out in the summer of 2026. But he is not the only one. Indeed, Loïs Openda is also invited to look elsewhere. As a reminder, the Belgian was the subject of a “payable loan of €3.3 million, to which must be added an 800,000 euro bonus and a purchase option of €40.6 million, payable in four financial years, to which must be added incidental costs of €1.7 million.” Other elements are also in uncertainty like Teun Koopmeiners. Arriving free, the former Mastiff player, Jonathan David, is also not guaranteed to stay. For his part, Andrea Cambiaso could be sacrificed to replenish the coffers and reinject this money to recruit the players desired by the coach and management. The future is being written today at Juventus. And for Zhegrova (26 years old), the rest of her story should be written elsewhere…
