Juventus and Genoa name lineups for Serie A clash, Yildiz starts
Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti has named Kenan Yildiz in his starting eleven for this evening's Serie A fixture against Genoa at the Allianz Stadium. The 19-year-old forward will operate from the left side of an attacking midfield trio in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Genoa, coached by Daniele De Rossi, will respond with a 3-5-2 setup, spearheaded by the striking partnership of Vitinha and Lorenzo Colombo.
Spalletti's selection sees Mattia Perin start in goal, shielded by a back four of Pierre Kalulu, Gleison Bremer, Lloyd Kelly, and Andrea Cambiaso. The midfield double pivot consists of Manuel Locatelli and Khephren Thuram, with Yildiz, Weston McKennie, and Francisco Conceicao supporting lone striker Moise Kean. For Genoa, goalkeeper Justin Bijlow is protected by a central defensive trio of Giorgio Marcandalli, Leo Ostigard, and Johan Vasquez.
The inclusion of Yildiz is a significant show of faith from Spalletti in the young Turkey international. Yildiz, who joined Juventus from Bayern Munich's youth academy in 2022, has become an increasingly important figure for the Bianconeri this season, making 25 league appearances. His technical ability and direct running have provided a creative spark for a side that has at times struggled for consistent attacking fluency. His development is seen as a key part of the club's long-term project.
For Genoa, the focus will be on their Portuguese forward Vitinha, who leads the line alongside Colombo. The 24-year-old arrived from Marseille in a deal worth a reported €25 million last summer and has shouldered the goal-scoring responsibility for the Rossoblu. His physical presence and hold-up play will be crucial against Juventus's experienced central defenders. The midfield battle, featuring Genoa's Morten Frendrup and Juventus's Locatelli, will also be pivotal in determining the flow of the match.
This match carries weight for both sides in the context of their season objectives. Juventus, currently sitting in third place, are locked in a tight battle for Champions League qualification and need a victory to maintain pressure on the teams above them. A win for Genoa, who are comfortably in mid-table, would edge them closer to mathematical safety and continue a positive first season back in the top flight. The tactical duel between Spalletti and the newly-appointed De Rossi adds an intriguing subplot to the encounter.
The team news confirms two significant absences for Juventus. As reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, first-choice goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and star striker Dusan Vlahovic are both sidelined with calf injuries, forcing Spalletti to rely on Perin and Kean. Genoa, meanwhile, appear to be at full strength, deploying their preferred system. The outcome could hinge on whether Yildiz and Juventus's reshuffled attack can break down Genoa's organized defensive block, or if Vitinha can exploit any uncertainty in the Juventus backline.
