Juventus Find Early Success with More Defensive Scheme

Luciano Spalletti switched Juventus to a defensive 3-5-2 formation against Lecce following injuries to Francisco Conceicao and Nicolas Gonzalez. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the tactical adjustment was agreed upon in part with the players to strengthen a chronically suspect defense. The setup allowed Randal Kolo Muani and Nick Woltemade to partner in attack, while Douglas Luiz scored and assisted alongside fellow playmaker Teun Koopmeiners.

The Cult of Calcio argues that while the tactical switch helps stabilize the defense during an injury crisis, the formation is not sustainable long-term due to roster makeup. The writer notes that returning injured players may not fit well into the system.