Juventus Midfield Set for Key Changes Ahead of Sassuolo Clash

Teun Koopmeiners is set to be thrown straight back into the heart of Juventus’ midfield as Luciano Spalletti wrestles with an early-season injury pile-up ahead of Sunday night’s trip to Sassuolo.

The Bianconeri head to the Mapei Stadium protecting an unbeaten start to the 2026-27 Serie A campaign, with kick-off at 19.45 BST, and already the squad is being stretched.

Spalletti shuffles the pack

Juventus opened with back-to-back wins over Frosinone and Parma, only to be checked by a 1-1 draw against Milan at the Allianz Stadium last weekend. It was a reminder that this is still a team in transition under Spalletti, even if the points tally looks healthy.

Sassuolo, meanwhile, sit mid-table in 10th after three games, their record perfectly balanced: one win, one draw, one defeat. On paper, it’s a game Juventus should control. The reality is more complicated.

The Old Lady travel without captain Manuel Locatelli, ruled out for the next few months. Khephren Thuram is facing a similar spell on the sidelines. Weston McKennie is not ready to return either. Those absences rip out the spine of Spalletti’s preferred midfield and force a rethink.

The consequence is striking. Koopmeiners and Douglas Luiz, both hovering on the fringes not long ago and at times described as surplus to requirements, now become indispensable. They are expected to start as the double pivot in a 4-2-3-1, tasked with dictating the tempo and protecting a defence that has yet to be fully tested this season.

New faces, new roles

There is at least one boost: Tottenham loanee Pape Matar Sarr is in line for his first appearance in a Juventus matchday squad since arriving in Turin over the summer. Even if he starts on the bench, his presence gives Spalletti a much-needed extra option in the middle of the park.

Further forward, the reshuffle continues. Kenan Yildiz is unavailable, so summer signing Kerim Alajbegovic, who stepped in against Milan, is likely to keep his place and deputise again in the attacking unit.

The No.10 role is another key call. Reports from Sky Sport Italia indicate that Nico Gonzalez is expected to get the nod as the central attacking midfielder, ahead of Nick Woltemade. Gonzalez’s ability to drift between the lines and attack space could prove crucial against a Sassuolo side that often leaves gaps when they push forward.

Spalletti will also have to cope without Andrea Cambiaso, Jeremie Boga, Jeff Ekhator and Juan Cabal, none of whom are expected to feature. The squad looks lighter than he would like, especially this early in the season, but there is still enough quality to impose a clear game plan.

How they’re likely to line up

Sassuolo are set to stick with a 4-3-3, looking to hit Juventus with width and quick transitions:

Sassuolo (4-3-3): Muric; Cinquegrano, Leysen, Idzes, Doig; Adzic, Matic, Bakola; Berardi, Esposito, Lauriente.

Spalletti’s Juventus are expected to mirror their recent structure, with a strong spine and plenty of pace and trickery around the central striker:

Juventus (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Kalulu, Bremer, Lucumi, Celik; Douglas Luiz, Koopmeiners; Conceicao, N. Gonzalez, Alajbegovic; Kolo Muani.

Koopmeiners’ return alongside Douglas Luiz should give Juventus a more controlled base in possession, while Kolo Muani leads the line with Conceicao and Alajbegovic offering support from wide and between the lines.

Where to watch

In the UK, the game will be shown live on TNT Sports 1, HBO Max and via DAZN. Viewers in the USA can follow the action on Paramount+.

An unbeaten start, a patched-up midfield, and a tricky away day under the lights: this is exactly the kind of night that will reveal how far Spalletti’s Juventus have really come.