Juventus are under pressure after suffering their first league defeat of the season, a 3-2 loss at Sassuolo that exposed serious structural problems within Luciano Spalletti's squad. The result leaves them eighth in Serie A with seven points from four games, and the manner of the defeat has intensified scrutiny on the manager. A comeback from 2-0 down, completed through two substitute goals from Edon Zhegrova, was undone in stoppage time by Vasilije Adzic, a Juventus-owned player on loan at Sassuolo.

The attacking department remains a central concern. Randal Kolo Muani and new loan signing Nick Woltemade both struggled at the Mapei Stadium, and the broader pattern of forwards failing to contribute goals is a recurring theme. Compounding matters, injuries to Manuel Locatelli and Khephren Thuram have stripped the midfield of its intended first-choice pairing, leaving the engine room short of quality and physicality.

Spalletti is now considering tactical changes, with reports suggesting a possible shift to a back three and a reshuffled attack for the Europa League campaign. Woltemade is expected to start as the central striker against NEC Nijmegen at the Allianz Stadium on Thursday, with Spalletti using the continental fixture to rotate and reassess. The Dutch side arrive in poor domestic form, but Juventus need a performance that rebuilds confidence before a demanding Serie A fixture against Atalanta follows at the weekend.