Juventus will host Udinese at the Allianz Stadium on Tuesday in a Coppa Italia fixture that has taken on significant importance for the club. With their Serie A and Champions League prospects looking dim, the domestic cup now represents their most realistic path to a trophy this season. However, their campaign begins under a cloud, as star striker Dusan Vlahovic has been ruled out for up to three months with an adductor injury.
The match echoes last season’s early start in the competition, a consequence of an increasingly congested European calendar driven by the expanded Champions League format. Juventus will be desperate to avoid a repeat of their last Coppa Italia run, which ended in a disappointing early exit to a team that was later relegated.
The challenge is far from straightforward. Udinese arrives in Turin in solid form, having won two of their last four matches, with their only recent losses coming against formidable opponents in Atalanta and Bologna. Currently sitting ninth in the Serie A table, just five points behind seventh-place Juventus, Udinese poses a legitimate threat.
Manager Luciano Spalletti faces several selection challenges. The most significant is the absence of Vlahovic, with Spalletti confirming the striker will be sidelined for “two or three months.” This places the attacking burden squarely on Jonathan David and Loïs Openda. Goalkeeper Mattia Perin will also miss the match due to fatigue, paving the way for Michele Di Gregorio to start. The injury list is further compounded by the absence of Gleison Bremer, Daniele Rugani, Carlo Pinsoglio, and Arek Milik.
Given the injuries and Spalletti’s acknowledgment of the team’s “physical and mental struggles” following recent wins, significant squad rotation is expected. One player poised to benefit is young midfielder Fabio Miretti. Spalletti spoke highly of Miretti in his pre-match press conference, praising his versatility and creativity.
“He’s a footballer who can do many things,” Spalletti said. “He has the timing of the play… and then the personality to create the unexpected from the expected. I think his role is a defensive midfielder. But the fact that he can adapt is something that can help the team.”
After a successful loan spell at Genoa, Miretti has impressed in limited appearances this season and is expected to receive significant playing time against Udinese, offering him a chance to further establish his role in the squad.
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