Luciano Spalletti Debuts as Juventus Coach Against Cremonese

CREMONA, Italy – Luciano Spalletti made his debut as Juventus head coach on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, leading his team against Cremonese at the Stadio Giovanni Zini. Kickoff was set for 8:45 p.m. local time.

This match followed a tumultuous week for Juventus, who dismissed Igor Tudor on Monday. Under caretaker manager Massimo Brambilla, the team ended an eight-match winless streak with a 3-1 victory over Udinese just days before Spalletti’s appointment.

Spalletti, who formally took over on Thursday, faced immediate challenges. Injuries sidelined key players Kenan Yildiz and Lloyd Kelly. They joined Gleison Bremer, Juan Cabal, Arek Milik, and Carlo Pinsoglio on the injury list.

In this match, Spalletti opted for a 4-3-3 formation, starting Dusan Vlahovic, Loic Openda, and Filip Kostic in the attack. Notably, Manuel Locatelli remained in the lineup despite previous tensions with the coach.

Cremonese entered the game unbeaten in their last three matches, securing draws against Udinese and Atalanta, followed by a significant 2-0 win over Genoa. They were led by veteran forward Jamie Vardy.

“We know how tough Juventus can be, but we are ready,” Vardy said before the match. The home side lined up in a 3-5-2 formation, with Federico Bonazzoli expected to support Vardy.

As both teams took to the pitch for their warm-ups, fans awaited a thrilling encounter in the 10th match of the Serie A season. Juventus was positioned seventh, while Cremonese was just one point behind in eighth.

With both teams vying for critical points, the late-night clash promised high stakes. The outcome could significantly impact their standings as they aim for European competition.