Juventus boss Luciano Spalletti is facing a midfield dilemma as he prepares for a crucial clash against Fiorentina this weekend, with Khephren Thuram's fitness still in doubt.
The French midfielder, who has been a key figure alongside captain Manuel Locatelli since arriving last summer, has been battling a muscle strain that has limited his effectiveness. After being benched for last Saturday's narrow win over Lecce—where Dusan Vlahovic's early strike sealed three points—Thuram continues to train separately, leaving his availability for the Fiorentina showdown uncertain.
This weekend's encounter at the Allianz Stadium carries significant weight. While Fiorentina have already secured their Serie A safety after a strong second-half surge, they'll be eager to play spoiler in Juventus' tight Champions League qualification race. Every point matters, and Spalletti knows his side can't afford any slip-ups.
According to Tuttosport, the Juventus tactician is weighing two distinct options to fill the void if Thuram doesn't recover in time.
Option 1: Keep the faith with Koopmeiners
The simplest approach would be to maintain the same lineup from the Lecce victory, with Teun Koopmeiners partnering Locatelli in midfield. However, Spalletti wasn't entirely impressed with the Dutchman's performance last time out, noting some passive moments that frustrated him.
Option 2: Shuffle the pack with McKennie
The more intriguing solution involves shifting Weston McKennie from his right wing-back role into the center of the park. This would allow Emil Holm to slot in at wing-back, while the attacking trio of Vlahovic, Kenan Yildiz, and Chico Conceicao remains unchanged.
Projected Lineups:
Option 1 (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly; McKennie, Locatelli, Koopmeiners, Cambiaso; Conceicao, Yildiz; Vlahovic.
Option 2 (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly; Holm, Locatelli, McKennie, Cambiaso; Conceicao, Yildiz; Vlahovic.
Whichever path Spalletti chooses, this tactical decision could define Juventus' weekend—and potentially their season. For fans watching from home or the stands, it's the kind of lineup drama that makes Serie A so compelling.