Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti faces a tactical dilemma ahead of Sunday’s match against Venezia as winger Francisco Conceição returns to training after a shoulder injury, forcing decisions on how to accommodate him alongside a newly resurgent Randal Kolo Muani in a shifting formation.
Spalletti adjusts formations amid Conceição injury
Constant injuries forced Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti to change formations on more than one occasion over the past few weeks, Yahoo Sports reported. Those tactical adjustments coincided with Francisco Conceição being sidelined after separating his shoulder during a 3-0 loss to Lazio last month.
Conceição has returned to training this week, arriving back as Spalletti searches for stability.
Randal Kolo Muani’s New Role
Stryker Randal Kolo Muani has played his best ball of the season while Spalletti switched to a two-striker formation. The Frenchman occupied a much wider role than he did earlier in the campaign as a result of that tactical shift.
That wider positioning sees Kolo Muani potentially occupying the exact same spaces that Conceição patrolled for much of his time in Spalletti’s 4-2-3-1 setup. Spalletti now must determine whether Conceição fits into the team given Kolo Muani’s current deployment.
Midfield Adjustments Against Venezia
Spalletti faces a choice between altering his shape or removing another midfielder from the field in favor of Conceição. The manager relied heavily on Conceição before the shoulder injury, using the winger more often than not.
Juventus takes the field next weekend against Venezia during a Sunday lunchtime kickoff. Edon Zhegrova remains unlikely to start a game at this point as Spalletti weighs his options for the upcoming fixture.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Juventus play Venezia?
Juventus faces Venezia next weekend during a Sunday lunchtime kickoff.
How did Francisco Conceição get injured?
Conceição separated his shoulder during a 3-0 loss to Lazio last month.
What formation has Luciano Spalletti recently used?
Spalletti recently switched to a two-striker formation that requires Randal Kolo Muani to play a wider role.
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