Cremonese 1-2 Juventus – 3 things we learned from Spalletti’s first game in charge

Luciano Spalletti’s debut 2-1 win at Cremonese showcased a more fluid Juventus, with Openda and Vlahovic linking well and new tactical roles unlocking creativity. Betting angle: punters can lean toward Juventus in short-term match odds while targeting both-teams-to-score markets, given Cremonese’s threat and Juventus’ still-vulnerable defence.

Spalletti’s tactical shift energises Juventus

Luciano Spalletti began his Juventus tenure with a 2-1 victory over Cremonese, immediately altering the team’s shape and tempo. Gone is the rigid structure of the previous regime; Spalletti promoted fluidity, allowing players to rotate and interpret roles rather than remain fixed to a strict formation. The result was a more dynamic attacking unit that dominated large spells of the match and created the openings that led to victory.

Fluid formation and pressing patterns

Juventus moved away from a static 3-5-2 look toward a more interchangeable system. Full-backs and wide forwards pressed aggressively in sequences before dropping to invite midfield surges, and the back three adjusted positions to cover shifting threats. This collective movement caused defensive confusion for Cremonese, particularly in the first half, and underpinned Juventus’ stronger control in possession.

Player roles: Koopmeiners, McKennie and creative rotation

Teun Koopmeiners was repurposed on the left of the back three, offering balance and ball progression from deeper areas. Weston McKennie drifted between an advanced 8, a No.10 and even wide zones, giving Spalletti multiple options in attack. The liberal approach to individual roles looked designed to maximise the squad’s technical and physical strengths rather than constrain them.

Cremonese’s resilience — Nicola’s tweaks and Vardy’s form

Cremonese proved again they are no pushovers. After a slow start, coach Nicola’s adjustments and substitutions revitalised their play late on, almost forcing a different result. Jamie Vardy’s goal underlined the striker’s growing comfort at his new club; if he maintains that momentum, Cremonese will continue to be dangerous against top opponents and a real threat in relegation battles.

Ex-Italy star predicts Vlahovic will score 20 goals under Spalletti

Openda and Vlahović create new attacking chemistry

Spalletti’s decision to start Lois Openda alongside Dusan Vlahović paid dividends. Openda alternated between wide runs and central bursts, combining with Vlahović at key moments and supplying dangerous crosses and cutbacks. That interplay relieved pressure on struggling forwards like Jonathan David and offered Juventus a more balanced, unpredictable attack.

Jonathan David, selection questions and rotation

Jonathan David has yet to find form in Serie A, registering only one goal in nine appearances. Spalletti’s rotation policy and Openda’s versatility create selection dilemmas: whether to persist with David for consistency or exploit Openda’s dynamism more frequently. The return of Kenan Yildiz could further complicate forward choices, as Spalletti weighs consistency against tactical fluidity.

Implications for Juventus moving forward

The early signs under Spalletti are encouraging: improved ball circulation, sharper attacking transitions and clearer individual roles. Defensive vulnerabilities remain at times, but the team looks more balanced and creative than under the previous coach. If Spalletti sustains this momentum, Juventus could climb the table quickly, while opponents should expect a more adaptable and attacking Bianconeri side.

Luciano Spalletti got his Juventus career off to a winning start on Saturday night, with...

Football Italia