Spalletti: ‘Juventus want to win games, inexplicable Grabara injury’

Spalletti: ‘Juventus want to win games, inexplicable Grabara injury’ Luciano Spalletti outlined his new Juventus tactical approach against Atalanta, insisting the focus is on ‘scoring goals and winning games,’ but reveals how Kamil Grabara tore his ACL. It kicks off at the Allianz Juventus Stadium in Turin at 17.00 UK time (18.00 CEST). You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s five Serie A games on the Liveblog. REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: Luciano Spalletti Head Coach of Juventus and Gianluca Ferrero of Juventus look on prior to the Serie A match between US Sassuolo and Juventus at Mapei Stadium – Citta’ del Tricolore on September 13, 2026 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images) The Bianconeri got themselves back on their feet with a 5-0 Europa League victory against NEC on Thursday, but must now bring some of that form to Serie A. Their last-gasp 1-1 draw with Milan was followed by a 3-2 defeat to Sassuolo with the final kick of the game. Spalletti changes Juventus shape REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: Luciano Spalletti Head Coach of Juventus looks on prior to the Serie A match between US Sassuolo and Juventus at Mapei Stadium – Citta’ del Tricolore on September 13, 2026 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images) The injury crisis just keeps getting worse, with news that second choice goalkeeper Kamil Grabara will be out of action for four to six months after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. “Our thoughts go to the lad, because why should such a thing happen, in a perfectly routine training exercise? It wasn’t a game between ranks, it was a normal movement. He felt this twinge in his knee, kept walking, the doctor said maybe we should have a look, and the anterior cruciate ligament is totally torn,” Spalletti told Sky Sport Italia. “It’s just inexplicable. Complaining won’t produce a better future, so we don’t complain, but we are certainly upset for the lad.” Up against Maurizio Sarri, it looks as if Luciano Spalletti has adapted to a 4-2-3-1 formation using Kerim Alajbegovic, Nico Gonzalez and Francisco Conceicao behind Randal Kolo Muani. TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 17: Kerim Alajbegovic of Juventus scores his team’s second goal past Nikolas Polster of N.E.C. Nijmegen during the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Juventus and N.E.C. Nijmegen at Juventus Stadium on September 17, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images) “We are seeking our identity and balance, that is what gives you the respect of others. When you have the ball, you must try to score goals, I can’t really do any other way. At the same time, we can’t do what we did at the 95 th minute against Sassuolo, but those were individual choices in moments of chaos at high speed,” added Spalletti. “I liked the attitude of the team trying to go and win the game, even if we over-did it. We are not asked to win a game, we are asked to win many games, so that means building a strong character, not hoping we just get through this. We have to build for the future.” REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: Luciano Spalletti Head Coach of Juventus looks on prior to the Serie A match between US Sassuolo and Juventus at Mapei Stadium – Citta’ del Tricolore on September 13, 2026 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images) At least Pape Matar Sarr and Weston McKennie returned to the starting XI midweek, but Kenan Yildiz, Manuel Locatelli, Khephren Thuram, Jeremie Boga, Andrea Cambiaso, Jeff Ekhator and Juan Cabal are still sidelined. How does he think Juventus will balance all these forwards working together? “We must do what is necessary in those moments. There are more spaces against Atalanta, more time with the ball at our feet, because if Atalanta get the ball, they’ll take us for a walk after them. “They love to be in possession, so just defending is not the right choice in my view. We’ll see if the game proves me right,” concluded Spalletti.