Luciano Spalletti omits Kenan Yildiz and Lloyd Kelly from his first Juventus squad ahead of the Cremonese trip; with Yildiz rested for patellar tendinopathy and Khephren Thuram back, punters may favour a cautious Juventus win or Juventus -0.5 (European) market. Avoid heavy over/BTTS bets until fitness clarity on attacking depth emerges.
Spalletti unveils first Juventus squad for Cremonese as injury doubts bite
Luciano Spalletti has named his first Juventus travelling squad after being appointed head coach, but two first-team players — Kenan Yildiz and Lloyd Kelly — have been left out. Spalletti, who signed a short-term deal through the end of 2025-26, takes charge for an away Serie A fixture at Cremonese on Saturday as he seeks an immediate uplift following his predecessor’s poor run.
Why Yildiz and Kelly miss out
Kenan Yildiz has been rested after suffering patellar tendinopathy in his left knee, an inflammatory condition beneath the kneecap that has required a bandage in recent appearances. He had been eased out of a starting role before returning to play 90 minutes in Juventus’ 3-1 win over Udinese, but the coaching staff have opted for precautionary rest ahead of the Cremonese trip. Lloyd Kelly is also absent due to back pain, though the issue is not believed to be long-term.
Midfield boost as Thuram returns
Khephren Thuram returns to contention after missing the win over Udinese, providing a welcome option in midfield for Spalletti. The inclusion of established midfielders alongside returning bodies will be key to Spalletti’s immediate tactical plans as he implements his ideas.
Possible tactical outlook
Spalletti’s first match is likely to focus on compact organisation and game management, particularly away from home. The absence of Yildiz reduces a particular creative spark, which could see Juventus rely more on direct service to forwards and midfield solidity. Expect Spalletti to prioritise control and defensive balance as he acquaints himself with the squad.
Spalletti expected not to change Juventus system on his debut
Confirmed Juventus squad for Cremonese
Goalkeepers: Di Gregorio, Perin. Defenders: Gatti, Kalulu, Rugani, J. Mario, Cambiaso, Rouhi, Scaglia, Pedro Felipe. Midfielders: Locatelli, Koopmeiners, Adzic, Kostic, Thuram, Miretti, McKennie. Forwards: Conceicao, Vlahovic, Zhegrova, Openda, David.
Betting implications
With a key creative midfielder rested and a new coach prioritising structure, markets may favour Juventus to grind out a result rather than produce a goal-fest. Bettors could consider backing Juventus to win with conservative goal markets (e.g., under 3 goals or Juventus -0.5) and be cautious on both-teams-to-score and high-scoring selections until clearer attacking fitness updates emerge.
Luciano Spalletti has confirmed his first Juventus squad following his appointment as head coach on...
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