Saturday's injury setback of prolific attacker Dusan Vlahovic has set the cat among the pigeons for the fallen Italian giants, as there is a knock-on effect within the club.
The Serbia striker, who missed out on tackling the 2026 FIFA World Cup as his side failed to qualify, had to leave the pitch after 31 minutes against Cagliari last Saturday. With Canada goal poacher Jonathan David replacing the 25-year-old, who limped off in tears.
Vlahovic has suffered a high grade adductor injury on the left leg, which weighs like a fracture. He is scheduled to undergo surgery at the Mayo Clinic in London.
An operation, as opposed to conservative therapy, offers a lesser risk of a relapse for an explosive player who relies on power. Depending on how he responds, Vlahovic could be back in action as early as March.
Any thoughts about a winter transfer have been dashed, although there was a gentleman's agreement in place between Vlahovic and Juventus to stay until the end of the current campaign and re-open contract negotiations.
As Vlahovic is Serie A's top earner, the Turin titans were previously only prepared to table a lesser offer to extend his deal that expires at the end of June.
He has finished as the club's leading scorer every season since his arrival from Fiorentina in January 2022, although has struggled to find the back of the net as the loan striker under both Spalletti and Igor Tudor.
Spalletti is already missing former Poland international Arkadiusz Milik, who has not played a competitive match since summer 2024 and suffered a spate of injuries. He is on the treatment table with a shin problem, and appears to a long way off becoming match fit before the New Year.
With Milik and Vlahovic missing, ex-Italy head coach Spalletti has just David and Lois Openda as recognized strikers. David has scored twice in 17 appearances, while fellow summer signing Openda bagged his inaugural goal in the Champions League triumph at Bodo/Glimt.
Juve need more from strikers
Both David and Openda have failed to live up to high expectations after joining Juve and negotiating steep salaries. David lingers around the box and can fire home from tight angles, but has only scored against Parma in August and last month's Champions League tie in Norway against Bodo/Glimt.
As David has been a flop, Juventus decided that they wanted to cash in on a player who arrived as a free agent in July. However, Vlahovic's injury has meant a U-turn unless an outrageous offer was made for David that was too good to turn down.
Although there has been tentative interest from the Bundesliga, La Liga and the Premier League in the Canadian, his lack of strikes and goal assists should scupper any bids being tabled.
Spalletti has publicly admitted that both David and unorthodox Openda are not attackers who race down the middle of the pitch, so needs to come up with a solution upfront.
As Spalletti was a versatile tactician during his surprise 2022/23 Scudetto with Napoli, it is time for the 66-year-old to tweak his approach at Juve. He has the international break to work with Weston McKennie, who has the pace and nous to take on the role of a makeshift center foward.
Time to rejig Yildiz role
With emerging superstar Kenan Yildiz having shone when given more freedom by Spalletti, the manager should surely be contemplating a new role for the 20-year-old Turkish talent in the absence of Vlahovic.
Yildiz sports the icon no10 on his Juventus jersey, so maybe it is time to employ him as a traditional no10, as a false no9 or even as a center forward. He is fully equipped for more creativity and prowess in front of goal.
The Bianconeri face a trio of tough Serie A matches before Christmas, so Spalletti needs to shake things up but make them work. Defending champions Napoli play host to Juventus on Sunday evening. Juve travel to face highflying Bologna on 14 December, then host AS Roma on 20 December.
Picking up points against rivals for a top four finish is essential, but Spalletti has only one shotstopper fit as well as plethora of defenders injured. Only his midfield is near full strength.
Federico Gatti was substituted during the second-half of Juve's Coppa Italia midweek win over Udinese because of a right knee sprain. Radiological tests yesterday revealed a medial meniscus tear, which requires surgery and will keep him sidelined for at least a month.
Milan hot-shot could be solution
AC Milan striker Santiago Gimenez, who did not play last month but is expected to return before Christmas, has been linked with a move from the San Siro in January.
Although he has yet to find the back of the net in Serie A this term, Juventus may wish to consider a short-term loan for the 24-year-old who needs to find his scoring boots to secure a place in the Mexico squad for next year's World Cup finals.
Premier League clubs Brentford, Sunderland and West Ham United have shown interest in prising Gimenez from the Rossonhave been linked with signing Gimenez in the January transfer window.
Yet his agent Rafaela Pimenta has dismissed rumors.
Gimenez joined Milan from Feyenoord last January for €28.5 million (US$32.3m). He has netted seven goals in 30 appearances across all competitions with the Serie A giants.
Confidence up at Juventus
With Spalletti unbeaten in all seven matches since being appointed Juventus manager, and three wins on the bounce, confidence and morale have been boosted.
He inherited a lightweight squad that is getting depleted by so many injuries. Spalletti is likely to introduce fringe players like Joao Mario, who made impressed a substitute against Udinese in what was his first appearance in six games.
The other concern is that Spalletti seems to be sticking to a 3-4-2-1 formation, which makes his side predictable to opponents. Against the upper echelon of the likes of Napoli and Roma this month, there could be hefty defeats for Juve unless Spalletti shakes things up to outwit opposing managers.