Luciano Spalletti names Guglielmo Vicario and Randal Kolo Muani to start for Juventus at Frosinone

Starting lineup and squad readiness

Luciano Spalletti will start his competitive tenure in the Juventus dugout on Sunday afternoon with an away fixture against Frosinone. During his pre-match press conference, the manager confirmed that new signings Guglielmo Vicario and Randal Kolo Muani will both feature in the starting lineup. The match presents an early meeting with Frosinone coach Massimiliano Alvini, whom Spalletti greeted warmly ahead of the season opener. Spalletti made clear that sluggish starts will not be tolerated, warning that any player falling behind expectations will quickly be moved out of the squad. The manager stated that intentions must now convert into concrete performances after pre-season preparation.

Spalletti outlined his firm stance regarding squad readiness.

The bell has rung. Anyone who is not ready will find themselves pushed toward the exit immediately.

Goalkeeping overhaul and transfer activity

The fixture at Frosinone introduces a restructured goalkeeping department for Juventus. Vicario enters the lineup despite not having played a competitive match since March, having completed regular group training sessions only in the final days preceding Sunday. Michele Di Gregorio will not participate, as the Italian goalkeeper finalizes terms for a move to English Premier League club Bournemouth. Mattia Perin will dress as the backup goalkeeper on the bench before an anticipated transfer to Palermo, where he will move once Juventus secure a replacement, with Kamil Grabara of Wolfsburg lined up as the target. Spalletti previously held discussions with Di Gregorio to assess whether he could remain, hoping to conserve transfer budget and effort for other positional needs. The roster also retains Carlo Pinsoglio alongside young goalkeeper Radu as depth options.

Market targets and transfer speculation

Club directors Giovanni Carnevali, Frederic Massara, and Marco Ottolini continue their efforts in the transfer market as the summer window enters its final week. The front office has already finalized the exit of Arthur and managed the situation regarding Nico Gonzalez while securing Kolo Muani in attack. Spalletti identified three key positional needs to complete the roster: a tall central striker, an aggressive holding midfielder, and a left-back. Targets linked with potential moves to Turin include striker Alexander Sørloth and midfielder Franck Kessié. Meanwhile, Premier League clubs continue to monitor Francisco Conceição and Turkish forward Kenan Yildiz, with reports in England pointing to a prospective 100 million euro bid from Arsenal. Spalletti maintained that Yildiz is central to his plans and should remain in Turin.

Spalletti rejected the idea of selling Yildiz despite the high figures discussed.

From my point of view it is easy: they can offer whatever they want, I want to be able to put him on the pitch.

Season ambitions and league competition

Spalletti avoided discussing title ambitions, placing Juventus within a broad group of eight teams capable of competing for the top four places. He cited AC Milan and AS Roma as clubs with productive transfer windows, noted that Inter Milan and Napoli were already very strong, and included Fiorentina among the contenders. The manager described his current team as close-knit and compact, while stating a long-term goal to build a solid, dense, and physically imposing side across every area of the pitch. Spalletti noted that club directors continue arriving early at the office each morning to finalize remaining squad adjustments before the market closes.

Spalletti stressed that the team must now prove its progression on the pitch.

It is no longer time to say what we want, but to do it.