Luciano Spalletti is ready to shift from a 3-5-2 to a 3-4-2-1 at Genoa, with Alajbegovic among the options behind the striker. With eight players injured and Napoli due on Sunday, he expects his team to stay broadly the same.

Luciano Spalletti is ready to tweak his shape at Genoa without tearing up his team. On the eve of the trip, the Juventus coach said one very small positional change turns the 3-5-2 into a 3-4-2-1. Anyone, he added, can fill the two roles behind the striker.

He named Alajbegovic, Boga and Zhegrova as options in that zone. Kolo Muani was his example of the profile he has in mind. Spalletti said the forward can play partly as a number 10 and partly as a wide forward. Sarr has recovered and is available.

Tuttosport expects Alajbegovic to possibly replace Kolo Muani behind Woltemade, and sees Cambiaso as the only left-flank option with Celik injured.

Napoli on Sunday shapes the plan for Genoa

The fixture list explains the caution. The trip to Genoa is the first of two games in five days. Spalletti is weighing a few rotations partly because of the second of those games, Sky Sport reported. Asked about Napoli, the coach said everything has to be taken into account. He still expects the team to stay broadly the same.

Spalletti also said his players are fully focused and have the right mentality. That follows a mixed run. Juventus lost at home to Lazio on 18 October. Afterwards Spalletti said his side had shown fragility that starts in the mind. He added that tactical systems change nothing without hunger, passion, courage and character. A draw with Rennes followed.

The win at Lecce began to make up for both results. McKennie volleyed in a Douglas Luiz free kick in the 29th minute. Douglas Luiz added the second four minutes before half-time.

Genoa’s set-piece threat meets a strong Juventus record

Spalletti described Genoa as an extremely hard opponent, citing both the atmosphere at their ground and their tactics. He warned they can use their physical strength at set pieces and also run in behind defences. Above all, he said, the side carries Daniele De Rossi’s fighting spirit.

The warning on dead balls fits recent meetings between the clubs. Six of the last ten goals between the clubs came from set pieces: two from corners, one from a throw-in and three from penalties.

History still favours Juventus. They have lost only one of their last 12 Serie A games against Genoa, with nine wins and two draws. They have also won the last four. That lone defeat was 2-1 at the Ferraris on 6 May 2022. Juventus have scored 233 goals against Genoa, more than any other club in the league.

After Genoa, Juventus host Massimiliano Allegri’s Napoli in Serie A Matchday 10 on Sunday 1 November, with kick-off at 20:45.

📷 Stadio Luigi Ferraris: Andre86, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons