Two European heavyweights with contrasting momentum meet in Turin as Juventus host Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League group stage. Both sides enter the contest with clear objectives, Juventus are desperate for their first win of the European campaign under new leadership, while Sporting CP will aim to solidify their place in the knockout qualification zone.
Juventus’s Champions League campaign so far has been a turbulent one. The Bianconeri drew high-scoring thrillers against Borussia Dortmund (4-4) and Villarreal (2-2) before falling to Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, a defeat that extended their winless run across all competitions to eight matches. That poor stretch cost Igor Tudor his job, with Luciano Spalletti now appointed to steady the ship.
Spalletti’s first test in Serie A was encouraging: a 2-1 victory over Cremonese that featured goals from Filip Kostic and Andrea Cambiaso, giving Juventus a much-needed morale boost on the club’s 128th anniversary weekend. Still, their European form remains worrying, Juve have won just two of their last 11 Champions League matches and must take three points here to avoid an early exit.
Historically, Juventus have fared well against Sporting CP. They remain unbeaten in four meetings, winning both home games in Turin, most recently in the 2023 Europa League quarter-final, where they progressed at Sporting’s expense.
Sporting CP, however, arrive in superb domestic and continental form. Rui Borges’s side have secured five straight wins in all competitions, most recently defeating Alverca 2-0 in the Primeira Liga. The Portuguese champions sit near the top of their domestic table and currently occupy a strong position in Europe after victories over Kairat Almaty (4-1) and Marseille (2-1).
Despite their good form, Sporting CP’s Achilles heel remains their away record in Italy. They have never won in 19 trips to the country, losing 14 of those, and have suffered three consecutive away defeats in the UEFA Champions League, each by a 2-1 margin.
With Juventus seeking redemption and Sporting chasing consistency, this encounter at the Allianz Stadium promises tactical discipline, intensity, and plenty of storylines as both teams look to define their European trajectory. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti is still dealing with a few selection concerns as he prepares for his first Champions League match in charge of the Bianconeri. The defensive duo of Gleison Bremer and Juan Cabal remain sidelined due to lingering injuries, Bremer continues his recovery from a thigh issue, while Cabal is still rehabilitating from an ankle problem.
Encouragingly, Kenan Yildiz and Lloyd Kelly could return after missing the weekend clash against Cremonese. Yildiz, who has been recovering from a minor knee problem, is close to full fitness, while Kelly’s muscular issue has improved sufficiently for him to make the matchday squad. Spalletti has no suspensions to contend with, offering him some welcome flexibility in team selection.
Although Spalletti is known for favouring a 4-3-3 formation, he opted to retain the 3-5-2 setup introduced by his predecessor Igor Tudor in the Serie A fixture against Cremonese, and that shape is expected to continue against Sporting CP. The back three of Pierre Kalulu, Daniele Rugani, and Federico Gatti will be stationed ahead of goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio, providing defensive solidity and the ability to build from the back.
In midfield, Khephren Thuram, Manuel Locatelli, and Teun Koopmeiners are likely to control the central areas, supported by Andrea Cambiaso and Filip Kostic as dynamic wing-backs responsible for both width and defensive cover. Up front, Lois Openda should partner Dusan Vlahovic, who has contributed to 11 goals in his 19 Champions League appearances to date and remains Juve’s key attacking threat.
Spalletti will expect his side to maintain compact defensive organisation while relying on quick transitions down the flanks and direct forward play through Vlahovic’s hold-up ability. The tactical emphasis will likely be on controlling possession through Locatelli and stretching Sporting’s back line with overlapping runs from Kostic and Cambiaso.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Rugani, Gatti; Cambiaso, Thuram, Locatelli, Koopmeiners, Kostic; Openda, Vlahovic
Sporting CP arrive in Turin with a few fitness concerns that could influence manager Ruben Amorim’s team selection. The Portuguese champions will once again be without Nuno Santos and Daniel Braganca, both of whom remain long-term absentees due to knee injuries. Their creative influence and versatility in midfield continue to be missed in key fixtures.
There are also fresh doubts over the availability of Zeno Debast, who has been managing muscle tightness and may not be risked from the start, while right-back Ivan Fresneda was forced off during the weekend win over Alverca with a suspected ankle injury. The Spaniard is unlikely to recover in time for the trip to Italy, meaning Georgios Vagiannidis is expected to deputise on the right side of defence.
Despite these setbacks, Amorim still boasts a formidable attacking core led by Pedro Goncalves, whose consistency remains remarkable. The forward, affectionately known as “Pote”, has already been involved in nine goals from 16 appearances this season, the most prolific start to a campaign by any player in Sporting’s recent history.
In terms of setup, Sporting are expected to retain their 4-2-3-1 formation, prioritising fluid transitions and positional rotation in attack. Goalkeeper Rui Silva will marshal the backline composed of Georgios Vagiannidis, Ousmane Diomande, Goncalo Inacio, and Maximiliano Araujo. The midfield pivot of Morten Hjulmand and Hidemasa Morita will aim to balance defensive cover with forward distribution, providing a strong link between the lines.
Further up the pitch, Geovany Quenda, Francisco Trincao, and Pedro Goncalves will form a technically gifted trio behind the lone striker, expected to be either Fotis Ioannidis or Luis Suarez. Pote will likely occupy the left half-space, drifting centrally to combine with Trincao and Suarez, while Quenda adds pace and width on the right. Sporting will rely on their pressing structure, quick vertical passing, and wide overloads to exploit any gaps behind Juventus’s wing-backs.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Silva; Vagiannidis, Diomande, Inacio, Araujo; Hjulmand, Morita; Quenda, Trincao, Goncalves; Suarez
Juventus are unbeaten in four meetings with Sporting CP across all European competitions, winning both of their previous encounters in Turin. The Bianconeri have also kept clean sheets in three of those four matches.
Sporting CP have never won a competitive fixture in Italy, losing 14 of their 19 visits and drawing the remaining five. They have also lost each of their last three Champions League away games by the same 2-1 scoreline.
Juventus have managed to win only two of their last 11 Champions League fixtures, highlighting their recent continental struggles. During that run, they have conceded at least two goals in seven matches.
Sporting’s talisman Pedro Goncalves has been directly involved in nine goals from 16 matches this season across all competitions (five goals and four assists), making him the most productive player in the club’s current squad.
Juventus have conceded eight goals in their past five matches across all competitions, while Sporting CP have kept three clean sheets in their last five games.
All eyes will be on Dusan Vlahovic, whose sharpness and finishing could be decisive for Juventus as they look to ignite their stuttering Champions League campaign. The Serbian striker has had a turbulent start to the season but remains the team’s most potent weapon in the final third.
Vlahovic’s physicality, intelligent movement, and lethal left foot make him a nightmare for defenders, particularly when supplied with quality service from the wings. He has already registered 11 goal involvements in 19 Champions League appearances, underlining his knack for performing on big European nights.
With Sporting CP expected to sit deep and counter, Vlahovic’s ability to hold up play and bring others into attack will be vital. His aerial prowess could also exploit Sporting’s vulnerability on set pieces, especially with Filip Kostić and Andrea Cambiaso delivering from wide areas. If Juventus are to rediscover their attacking rhythm under Luciano Spalletti, it will likely be through Vlahovic leading from the front, both literally and figuratively.
Both teams enter this encounter with contrasting momentum but equally pressing motivations. Juventus, under new boss Luciano Spalletti, are still rediscovering their structure and rhythm after a turbulent start, while Sporting CP arrive full of confidence following a string of domestic victories and an encouraging Champions League campaign.
Spalletti’s side will rely heavily on their compact defensive shape and moments of quality from Dusan Vlahovic and Filip Kostic to unlock Sporting’s back line. Meanwhile, the visitors’ creativity through Pedro Goncalves and Francisco Trincao, coupled with their speed in transitions, could cause real problems if Juventus overcommit.
However, Juventus’s experience and home advantage at the Allianz Stadium may prove decisive. The Bianconeri are typically difficult to beat in Turin, and Luciano Spalletti’s tactical discipline should help them contain Sporting’s attacking fluidity.
