Lack of goals under Igor Tudor, which saw the now axed manager oversee a shocking 394 minutes without finding the back of the net, was a major issue.
Tudor’s one-dimensional tactics, which had seen him given the boot by other Serie A sides, failed to cut the mustard with the Bianconeri. He was losing the dressing room in the end, especially because of his bizarre second-half substitutions.
Newly-appointed Luciano Spalletti offers a versatile tactical approach, and having built the 2022/23 Serie A-winning Napoli around a traditional center forward and whizzy left winner seems like a match for Juventus.
The dynamic duo of no9 Dusan Vlahovic and Turkish talent Kenan Yildiz, who are on the radar of leading European clubs, can be utilized in a bid to repeat Spalletti’s impressive feats at Napoli.
Juve’s misfiring strikers Jonathan David and Lois Openda should get opportunities under Spalletti, who sets up his sides to tackle opponents. His 4-3-3 tactics worked well when he was the Italy manager, but failed when he opted for a lone target.
Despite just one goal between David and Openda, the two summer arrivals are being monitored by Bayern Munich. Last month the German giants showed interest in both Openda and David, but are showing interest in Juventus flop David.
Unorthodox attacker Openda was a deadline day signing from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, but hardly got a look in under Tudor. The Belgium international started for interim manager Massimo Brambilla, but even against Udinese was unable to break his duck in a Juve jersey.
David disappoints at Juventus
David’s record for Canada and at LOSC Lille made his July arrival as a free agent seem like a bargain for the Bianconeri. Yet he has cut a forlorn figure at the Turin titans, and has failed to score since his Serie A debut against Parma in August’s season opener.
With just a single strike and one goal assist in 10 outings, the 25-year-old has found adjusting to Serie A tricky. He was at fault for helping gift Lazio’s winner last weekend with a dreadful back header near the halfway line, and was totally toothless in attack.
Yet Bayern have joined Tottenham Hotspur in monitoring the out-of-form 25-year-old. He could suddenly become a valuable asset under attack-minded Spalletti, although as nothing more than a goal poacher may simply be allowed to leave as early as the winter transfer window.
Tottenham urgently need to revitalize their frontline. The ambitious Premier League side are focused on FC Porto’s Samu Aghehowa, Juve misfit David and West Ham United’s Jarrod Bowen.
Bayern, like Spurs, boast the financial structure to absorb risks like David. As the second-highest earner at Juventus, the Italian team would surely be happy to trim their wage bill as soon as possible by allowing him to move.