Spalletti Demands a ‘Strong’ Reaction as Juventus - Como Meet at Allianz Stadium
Juventus head into the weekend seeking an immediate response on home soil as they prepare to host Como in Serie A. The matchup, billed as a test of temperament and depth, matters now because Juventus arrive battered from recent defeats and face a congested calendar that includes a Champions League return leg midweek.
Juventus - Como: Development details
The Serie A meeting is scheduled to kick off at 11. 00h at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday for matchday 26 of the 2025 season. Juventus enter the fixture fresh off a heavy Champions League loss in Turkey, where they were beaten 5-2 and left with the task of overturning a deficit in the return leg the following Wednesday. That European setback followed a narrow 3-2 defeat in the domestic derby against Internazionale.
Injuries and squad availability will shape Luciano Spalletti’s selection. Jonathan David is sidelined with adductor discomfort and has been ruled out for the match, and Bremer is unavailable because of a muscular issue. Dušan Vlahović is listed as close to a return after an adductor problem that has kept him out since late November. Midfielders Weston McKennie and Manuel Locatelli must curb bookings: both are a caution away from suspension and could miss the subsequent league fixture against Roma if they pick up another yellow card.
A projected 3-4-2-1 formation for Juventus has been suggested: Michele Di Gregorio in goal; a back three of Federico Gatti, Lloyd Kelly and Teun Koopmeiners; a midfield quartet of Andrea Cambiasso, Manuel Locatelli, Khephren Thuram and Juan Cabal; Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceição behind Weston McKennie. Those names reflect current availability and recent tactical choices as Spalletti searches for a reaction.
Context and pressure points
The immediate cause of heightened pressure is clear: a heavy defeat in Europe compounded by turbulent domestic results. Juventus have dropped points in recent Serie A matches and arrive with a diminished margin for error; only four points separate the two clubs in the standings, with Juventus on 46 points and Como on 42. Como’s form includes a recent draw with Milan and a sequence of matches without victory that has tempered momentum, but the visitors remain a compact threat under their coach, who has produced a notable campaign led by forward Nico Paz.
Spalletti has publicly demanded a “strong” reaction and urged a change of focus following the European reverse. He has also referenced tactical adjustments discussed internally—phrases about taking steps back in order to spring forward have been used in team meetings as part of efforts to reset morale. What makes this notable is the timing: Juventus must reconcile European urgency with league priorities across a week that includes both domestic and continental tests.
Immediate impact and forward outlook
The outcome on Saturday will have immediate practical consequences. A home victory would offer Juventus a chance to rebuild confidence ahead of the Champions League second leg on Wednesday and reduce pressure on players at risk of suspension before the Roma fixture. Conversely, another poor result would extend the club’s slide and intensify scrutiny on selection decisions, particularly with key attackers unavailable and others returning from injury.
For Como, the match offers an opportunity to close the gap in the table and reinforce the effectiveness of their tactical setup even without top contributors who may miss the game through suspension. The visitors’ position in the standings means a positive result at the Allianz Stadium would carry outsized value for their European ambitions.
Confirmed near-term milestones are set: the Serie A meeting at 11. 00h on Saturday at the Allianz Stadium, followed by Juventus’ Champions League return leg on Wednesday and a league fixture against Roma thereafter. Those scheduled tests will determine how quickly Spalletti’s side can translate words of urgency into results on the pitch.
The matter remains under review where availability fluctuates day to day, but the immediate sequence of matches gives a concrete timetable for assessing whether Juventus can stabilize and regain momentum.
