Seeking redemption for a heartbreaking end to the 2025/26 season, Juventus head to newly promoted Frosinone at the start of the new Serie A campaign. Sunday’s clash at Stadio Benito Stirpe offers the Bianconeri a perfect chance to get 2026/27 off to a flyer.
Frosinone finished runners-up in Serie B last term to secure a top-flight return for the first time since 2023/24. They finished that season just a point adrift of safety and will be looking to avoid the same fate this time around under Massimiliano Alvini, who helped them earn promotion.
Only one point separated Alvini from silverware last year, but a coveted Serie A return was the ultimate prize for Frosinone. Eager to avoid an immediate relegation, the Canaries have been very active in the transfer window, signing as many as 13 new players, including Austria internationals Romano Schmidt and Florian Grillitsch.
Those arrivals are intended to keep Frosinone in Serie A for another season, and this fixture could provide an early insight into whether the Canaries have enough firepower to compete with Italy’s elite. Juventus certainly belong to that category, even though they failed to secure Champions League qualification last season.
A disappointing sixth-place finish prompted the club to drastically change their frontline. Lois Openda and Dusan Vlahovic are no longer part of Luciano Spalletti’s squad. Jeff Ekhator, Kerim Alajbegovic, and Randal Kolo Muani have been brought in to fill the void, while Joshua Zirkzee could arrive late in the summer.
Frosinone
Each of Frosinone’s last three Serie A stints started with a loss. That paints a bleak picture for Alvini’s side ahead of this mouth-watering showdown, but their impressive performance in the opening Coppa Italia round could offer a glimmer of hope. Giorgi Kvernadze’s brace propelled the Canaries to a thumping 4-1 victory over Juve Stabia last week, reinforcing the hosts’ optimism ahead of their Serie A return.
Avoiding defeat in this encounter would be a massive confidence boost for Frosinone, and that prospect may not be out of the realm of possibility. Indeed, 25 of their 35-point haul in 2023/24 came at this venue, with the Canaries going unbeaten in over 50% of their home matches in their last Serie A campaign (W7, D4, L8).
However, five consecutive defeats against Juventus in this competition should serve as a warning sign. Furthermore, Frosinone are still searching for their first-ever home win against the Bianconeri in Serie A, having lost all four previous top-flight meetings at the Benito Stirpe.
Juventus
After missing out on a top-four finish for only the second time since the 2010/11 season, Juventus will be eager to bounce back this term. Spalletti’s men enter this game as odds-on favorites, buoyed by their strong recent record against Serie A newcomers.
Juventus have lost just once in their last 20 league clashes against newcomers (W13, D6, L1), underlining their dominance in these fixtures and offering plenty of encouragement ahead of their trip to the capital. Adding to the visitors’ confidence, they have emerged victorious from 13 of their last 15 day-one matches in Serie A (D1, L1).
Defensive solidity could prove crucial if the Bianconeri are to maintain that remarkable record. Few would bet against Juventus holding up their end of the bargain here, especially considering they kept a clean sheet in four of their final five Serie A away games last season (W3, D2).
Alvini didn’t have Aleksa Tezic and Grillitsch at his disposal against Juve Stabia, but the latter could be in contention on Sunday. The same goes for Seydou Fini, who returns to the fold after serving a one-game suspension. Meanwhile, marquee signing Schmidt is expected to make his Serie A debut upon his arrival from Werder Bremen.
Ekhator will have to wait a little longer to make his Juventus debut as he’s still dealing with a muscle injury. Federico Gatti is also on the sidelines, with Lloyd Kelly expected to partner up with Gleison Bremer at the heart of Spalletti’s defense. Guglielmo Vicario should start in goal after arriving from Tottenham Hotspur on loan, while Kolo Muani is likely to lead the line ahead of Jonathan David.
Frosinone (4-2-3-1): Palmisani; Oyono, Calvani, Monterisi, Bracaglia; Masini, Calo; Ghedjemis, Schmid, Kvernadze; Raimondo.
Juventus (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Luiz; Conceicao, McKennie, Yildiz; Kolo Muani.
Frosinone might give Juventus a run for their money, but the Bianconeri should have enough quality to come away with all three points. Spalletti’s side can lean on their formidable record against promoted clubs and a strong defensive record away from home to start the campaign on a winning note.
Prediction: Juventus to win
