Juventus’s Turmoil Triggered: Galatasaray’s 5-2 Smash Sparks a Full Squad rethink
19 February 2026
Rethinking the squad after a dip in form
Italian press reports that Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti is planning sweeping changes to the squad for next season, prompted by a clear drop in results this campaign. The team’s performances have slipped, and officials warn that the current group may not meet expectations in the long run.
Champions League setback compounds domestic wounds
Juventus were hammered 2-5 by Galatasaray in Istanbul on Tuesday, the first leg of the Champions League round of 16, highlighting defensive fragility and attacking struggles. This defeat followed a 3-2 league loss to Inter Milan, intensifying questions about the squad’s fit under Spalletti.
In the days that followed, back-to-back disappointments fueled talk of a major overhaul as pundits debated the best path forward for a club hungry for revival.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, at least six players are not in Spalletti’s plans for next season if he remains in charge in Turin.
Loïs Openda has not convinced the coach in training, recording only 87 minutes across eight appearances in 2026. Despite injuries to Dusan Vlahovic and Jonathan David in Istanbul, Spalletti chose Boston McKinney as the central striker instead of Openda.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio faced criticism after conceding 13 goals in the last four matches, and minutes for players like Vasilei Adzic and Edon Zigrova have dwindled in recent weeks.
La Gazzetta dello Sport maintains that none of these players are likely to feature in Spalletti’s plans if he continues to lead Juventus next season. His contract at the Allianz Stadium runs out in June.
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