Juventus go into the international break seventh in Serie A with 18 points from 11 games, six behind fourth-placed Milan and 11 behind leaders Lazio. Coach Luciano Spalletti's attempt to turn that around runs through his front line: forward Randal Kolo Muani and German centre-forward Woltemade started together for Juventus at Fiorentina on 8 November, and Argentine forward Nico González is due back in training on Monday.
Two forwards, two goals at Fiorentina
In the 2-2 draw Spalletti paired Kolo Muani and Woltemade, with Boga as the third attacker. Juve trailed twice: Fiorentina's Argentine forward Pellegrino headed in after four minutes and Fiorentina's Njie made it 2-1 in the 54th. In between, Woltemade levelled on 32 minutes from a pass by Kolo Muani, who had slipped past Fiorentina defender Viery, according to ANSA. Defender Bremer scored the second equaliser on 66 minutes after a clumsy exit by Fiorentina goalkeeper De Gea.
Why Spalletti chose it
Afterwards Spalletti said the two forwards attack defenders and that "sometimes you have to go straight to the first striker". He added that Kolo Muani's work gave Woltemade the chance to score, and that with his renewed energy Kolo Muani can be used anywhere, where before he moved less. The coach was less happy with the rest of the team: too many players, he said, lack consistency, and "those who have doubts almost never manage to bring home something important". Asked whether he feared losing the team, he answered: "I hug them every day".
Who is back
Tuttosport reports that Francisco Conceição joined the group's last training session on Wednesday, about 20 days after dislocating his left shoulder against Lazio. González, who has recovered from a low-grade soleus tear, is expected back on Monday. Andrea Cambiaso, who missed Fiorentina with muscle fatigue, needs a few days of individual work before Spalletti counts on him for Venezia. Kenan Yildiz, still recovering from a problem with the fifth metatarsal of his left foot, is not expected before early December and will do some light pitch work next week.
What it means for Venezia
With Kolo Muani rediscovered on the right, Tuttosport says Spalletti needs players who can take the central spot, and González is one: the coach calls him the team's best header, and he has played well as the main striker next to another centre-forward. The paper floats González starting alongside Kolo Muani and Woltemade against Venezia at the Allianz Stadium on Sunday 22 November. Venezia are 19th with 6 points from 11 games; Juve have scored 15 and conceded 12.
A January target on the left
Corriere dello Sport reports that Spalletti also wants a left-sided full-back in January, a role in which Zeki Celik, signed from Roma in the summer, has been used even though he prefers the other flank. It names Atalanta's Lorenzo Bernasconi, for whom Atalanta have asked about €25 million, and, as a hope more than a plan, Barcelona's Alejandro Balde, who has made five appearances and played 124 minutes this season under coach Hansi Flick.
