Juventus picked up their first defeat of the Serie A season on Sunday, losing 3-2 to Sassuolo at the Mapei Stadium in a result that exposed real problems within Spalletti's squad. The Bianconeri had fought back to level at 2-2 through substitute Edon Zhegrova, only to concede a last-minute winner to Vasilije Adzic, a player Juventus own and loaned to the Neroverdi themselves. The defeat leaves them eighth in the table on seven points after four games, level with both Sassuolo and Frosinone.

The result sharpens concern about the attack. Randal Kolo Muani and Nick Woltemade both failed to make an impact as starters, while former Juventus forwards have already opened their accounts elsewhere. The issue appears systemic rather than individual, pointing to how the team is set up to attack rather than the quality of any one player.

Compounding the pressure is a mounting injury list. Manuel Locatelli has undergone knee surgery and faces close to five months out. Khephren Thuram is also sidelined long-term. That has left Teun Koopmeiners and Douglas Luiz, both previously considered fringe figures under Spalletti, as the first-choice midfield pairing. Senegalese midfielder Pape Sarr, who joined recently from Tottenham, is working his way back to full fitness and could offer some relief.

Juventus return to action on Wednesday, hosting NEC Nijmegen in the Europa League at the Allianz Stadium.