Juventus roster challenges and Parma match preparations

As Juventus prepares to host Parma at the Allianz Stadium for the second round of the 2026/2027 Serie A season, manager Luciano Spalletti continues to navigate roster challenges. Following a 1-0 victory over Frosinone, the squad remains without Weston McKennie and Mamadou Thuram.

Kenan Yildiz faces a significant absence due to an injury to his left foot. While earlier reports suggested the injury might require surgery and sideline him for up to three months, Spalletti has since noted that the injury is “relatively simple” but requires careful management to prevent recurrence.

To address these absences, the club has prepared replacements, including 19-year-old Alajbegovic, or may rely on Nico Gonzalez. Spalletti has expressed “total confidence” in Randal Kolo Muani and emphasized the importance of Gonzalez, noting the club is “not willing to let him leave without proper compensation.” Additionally, the coach noted the successful integration of new signing Lucumì into the squad.

On the transfer front, Spalletti indicated interest in Franck Kessié, though new acquisitions remain contingent on player departures due to strict Financial Fair Play regulations.

Meanwhile, Parma enters the match seeking their first points of the season following a loss to Cagliari. Under Carlos Cuesta, the team is undergoing tactical shifts, transitioning from a 5-3-2 to a more offensive 4-3-3 formation. To protect tactical details, Parma has opted to use players for pre-match press conferences rather than the coach. Historically, Juventus holds a significant advantage in this matchup, with 40 wins compared to Parma's 14 in their 73 head-to-head encounters. Statistical models currently favor Juventus with a 55.6% win probability, suggesting a 1-0 scoreline as the most likely outcome. The match will be officiated by Francesco Fourneau.