The first weeks of Juventus’ Luciano Spalletti version had all the makings of an ideal launch with this compact block, this coordinated pressing, and this clinical efficiency. All this despite several injuries. The winter transfer window brought some reinforcements with Jérémie Boga and Emil Holm. But the improvement suddenly cracked when the calendar got tough at the start of 2026. The dry elimination against Atalanta in the Coppa Italia (3-0) served as the first alarm signal, revealing a crumbly team as soon as it suffered the opposing intensity. The draw (2-2) conceded at home against Lazio confirmed that the defensive solidity promised by Spalletti remained theoretical, while the controversial defeat against Inter during the Derby d’Italia (3-2) created a climate of suspicion and tension around the team. In the space of a few days, enthusiasm gave way to doubt, and Juventus found themselves navigating a negative spiral from which they could no longer escape.
The culmination of this descent into hell occurred Tuesday evening in Istanbul, the scene of a continental disaster. Swept (5-2) at ten by Galatasaray in the first leg of the Champions League, the Bianconeri delivered a defensive performance unworthy of their historic standing. Disorganized, slow in the withdrawals, unable to manage the depth, the rearguard foundered, aggravated by the injury to Bremer, pillar of the system. Each Turkish offensive gave the impression of a red alert, so stretched and feverish were the Italian lines. More than a defeat, this setback resembles a tactical humiliation, as the team seemed to exceed in commitment, intensity and reading of the game. The Turin troops therefore had to reassure themselves this weekend with the reception of Cesc Fabregas’ Como, very far from being an easy team to maneuver.
Nothing is going well for the Old Lady
But ultimately it is not today that Doctor Spalletti has not found the remedies for the thousand ills of the Turin team. And the wounds are therefore far from being healed. As if that were not enough, the crisis reached a new milestone this Saturday, with a defeat (0-2) against Como at the Allianz Stadium, during the 26th day of Serie A. The Lombard team led by Fabregas outclassed the amorphous Turinese, incapable of targeting the slightest dangerous shot. The opening score came from an error by Weston McKennie, intercepted before Mërgim Vojvoda deceived the goalkeeper with a deflected shot. In the second half, Maxime Caqueret doubled the lead on an offering from Lucas Da Cunha, sealing a logical victory. In the standings, the Old Lady sees Roma threatening while Cremonese remains in ambush, and above all, it concedes a fourth defeat in five matches in all competitions. An alarming dynamic for a European contender. “Performance is affected by the first goal, and it’s always a matter of incident. When it comes to the score, you have to play long and wide depending on their intentions. We exert individual pressure and they make us go crazy with their dribbling and their possession, and then everything becomes more difficult. Then, we conceded 13 goals on our first shot on target, and it is clear that if that happens again, it will be complicated. Self-confidence, the conviction that we have a chance. Until recently, we held him in check and we thought we would win. But he now lacks a little authority and conviction. Today we made a lot of bad passes in midfield, passes that my players don’t usually make, because I know them well.”explained the Italian coach.
With only 46 points after 26 days, the team displays its lowest total at this stage in fifteen years: it does worse than the formation of Thiago Motta (49 points), that of Andrea Pirlo (55 points in 2019-2020) and even than the 2010-2011 exercise led by Luigi Delneri, prelude to the Antonio Conte era, where Turin had only collected 41 points before to finish seventh. A historical reminder which highlights the extent of the current decline. The meeting took place in an electric atmosphere. Even before kick-off, the referees were heavily whistled by the stands, in reaction to the controversial expulsion of Pierre Kalulu during the previous match against Inter after a simulation blamed on Alessandro Bastoni, then the Serie A anthem was also booed, before the anger of the supporters turned against their own players at the break, criticized for their insufficient performance. The contrast is cruel. Como, with the same squad, deprived of the talent of Nico Paz, remained with a draw at Napoli, a defeat against Fiorentina and a draw against Milan, while Juve suffered a series of setbacks. Concerns are crystallizing around the goalkeeper, guilty at San Siro and again on Saturday, pushing some to call for Mattia Perin to start.
Behind, Federico Gatti did the minimum, Lloyd Kelly disappointed, Teun Koopmeiners confirmed his irregularity. In the middle, Manuel Locatelli secured too much, Khéphren Thuram tried without success, Andrea Cambiaso was forgotten. In front, Fabio Miretti, replaced by Francisco Conceição, did not weigh, only Kenan Yildiz showed a semblance of spark, while Loïs Openda imitated Jonathan David without success. “It will be our convictions that will decide. Our opponent in the Champions League is ourselves: if we correct our technical and mental problems, we will play. If we stay at this level, we will lose and will not be able to hope for any results”supported Spalletti. A promising start, a faded ending. Statistically, Spalletti displays a points average comparable to those of Thiago Motta and Igor Tudor, but the visual sensation is completely different. A team without identity, without confidence, and perhaps without an immediate future at the top. Tuesday, the European return to Turin then the crucial trip next weekend will decide whether this Juventus can still save its season, or if the nightmare has only just begun.
