Sassuolo vs Juventus: Spalletti's Perfect Defence Tested
Published
Sassuolo and Juventus meet in the fourth round of the 2026 Serie A season on September 13. With Luciano Spalletti's visiting side looking defensively imperious early on and Alberto Aquilani dealing with a mounting injury list, this fixture presents a demanding tactical test for the home side.
Team News and Injury Latest
Both managers are navigating significant selection headaches. Alberto Aquilani's Sassuolo squad is stretched thin, with Fali Cande, Ismael Kone, Daniel Boloca, Edoardo Pieragnolo, Sebastian Walukiewicz, and Yeferson Paz all confirmed as unavailable.
The situation is arguably more severe for Juventus. Spalletti's treatment room is overflowing, severely limiting his midfield and defensive rotation options. Key figures Kenan Yildiz, Khephren Thuram, Weston McKennie, and Andrea Cambiaso are all sidelined. They are joined by Juan Cabal, who has failed to shake off a thigh problem, alongside Jeff Ekhator and Pape Matar Sarr. Spalletti recently admitted that his lineup choices are difficult, noting that he will need crucial contributions from the substitutes' bench to maintain their strong start.
Juventus Form Guide
Juventus have started their Serie A campaign with a rock-solid foundation. Under Spalletti's guidance, the Bianconeri secured a pulsating 1-0 win over Frosinone on the opening weekend. They followed that up with a more clinical 2-0 victory against Parma, courtesy of second-half goals from Nicolas Gonzalez and Teun Koopmeiners. Juventus allowed just five total shots on target across those opening fixtures, showcasing the structural discipline that has quickly become their trademark this term.
Sassuolo Form Guide
Sassuolo's recent competitive record is a mixed bag, characterised by attacking output and defensive vulnerabilities. Aquilani's men previously recorded a vital 2-1 Serie A victory over Torino and comfortably dismissed Cesena 3-0 in the Coppa Italia. However, a league defeat to Atalanta and a recent 1-1 cup draw against Frosinone highlight their inconsistency. They have regularly found the back of the net but are struggling to keep clean sheets against top-tier opposition.
Recent Head-to-Head Record
Recent encounters heavily favour the visitors. Juventus have won three of their last five Serie A meetings with Sassuolo, including a commanding 3-0 victory in January 2026. The most recent clash, however, ended in a hard-fought 1-1 draw in March 2026. Across those last five league meetings, Juventus have outscored Sassuolo seven goals to three.
Heading into the next stretch of the season, Juventus will view this fixture as an essential opportunity to cement their position near the summit of the table. Sassuolo, meanwhile, must find a way to overcome their injury crisis if they are to establish mid-table security before the winter fixtures pile up.

