The striker who might never wear the shirt again
This is not how it was supposed to end. Dusan Vlahovic arrived at Juventus as the heir to a lineage of great Serbian strikers, the man who would lead the line for a new era. Four and a half years later, with his contract winding down and a fresh adductor problem ruling him out of the Derby della Mole, there is a genuine possibility he has already played his final game for the club (2) (7). Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Atletico Madrid are all watching (7) (10) (11). The silence around his renewal speaks louder than any statement.
For a club clinging to 6th place with 68 points from 37 matches, losing your primary goal threat on the one weekend you cannot afford to stumble is a cruel twist. This is the week Juventus finds out what it is made of.
Spalletti holds the line, barely
Luciano Spalletti looks like a man who has not slept in weeks. By his own admission, he has not. "Nights without life," he called them, before dismissing resignation talk with the kind of clipped finality that suggests the question itself offended him (13) (15) (17). The club has confirmed he stays regardless of Champions League qualification (12). That should bring clarity. It does not feel that way.
Get the next Juventus FC brief by email
This article went out to subscribers as a brief. Get the next one straight to your inbox, free.
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
Spalletti's attempt to downplay the importance of the Champions League felt tactical, a manager trying to lift pressure from his players (3). But this is Juventus. Downplaying a top-four race is not protecting the squad. It is misreading the room. Fulvio Collovati, never one to sugarcoat, said it plainly: he is disappointed by this Juventus (24) (29). He is not alone.
Yildiz shines, then limps
One bright note in a grim week: Kenan Yildiz was officially named Serie A's best U23 player for the 2025-26 season (4) (21) (26). It is a deserved recognition for a player who has been the most exciting thing about this Juventus side. Then came the calf injury in training. He is now doubtful for the derby, and his participation in Turkey's World Cup opener is also at risk (14) (15) (19). When it rains, it pours.
The squad that needs rebuilding before it is even finished
Beyond the derby, the transfer noise is deafening. Gleison Bremer is the subject of a reported £50m offer from Manchester United (18) (23). Juventus are chasing Kim Min-Jae, Tijjani Reijnders, and a mystery Liverpool player (19) (22) (21) (27). One Portuguese target has reportedly cooled on the move because Juventus might miss the Champions League (23). Jeremie Boga, meanwhile, is set to be signed permanently despite declining performances (5). The summer overhaul is coming regardless, with Federico Gatti, Michele Di Gregorio, and Pierre Kalulu among those whose futures must be resolved (20) (25).
But none of that matters until Sunday. Torino away, Derby della Mole, final day. Everything else is noise. Juventus must win and hope results elsewhere break their way. If they do not, the questions Spalletti has been batting away all season will become impossible to ignore.
Forza Juve. No excuses left.
