Spalletti's Juventus 2025-26 3-4-2-1 Won Serie A, 91 goals

Hi guys
this is my emulation of Spalletti's Juventus tactic.
It is a 3-4-2-1 that in possession becomes a 3-1-3-2-1 (with Thuram being higher than Locatelli) and out of possession becomes a 4-4-2 (with the first pressing line led by the striker and one between the two wingers Yildiz and Conceiçao) or mainly a 5-4-1 with the two wingers dropping back to the midfield and the wing-backs dropping back near the 3 central defenders.
Now let's see the real life tactical analysis

TACTICAL ANALYSIS: LUCIANO SPALLETTI’S 2025-26 JUVENTUS

Football is defined by moments, and the period Juventus is currently navigating feels like a true watershed. Following the end of Igor Tudor’s brief reign, the Bianconeri board turned to a manager hungry for redemption: Luciano Spalletti, following his departure from the Italian national team. The arrival of the Certaldo-born coach at Continassa has brought a breath of fresh air. It is not merely a matter of formation, but of identity; Spalletti is striving to transform a group of individuals into a "single organism" capable of evolving according to the match.
Koopmeiners’ Metamorphosis and Pitch Control
Spalletti’s first major challenge was revitalizing Teun Koopmeiners, who appeared lackluster at the start of the season. The solution? Dropping him back into the defensive line. This is not a defensive move, but a statement of intent: with the Dutchman orchestrating from the back, Juve finally possesses the clean build-up play that has been missing for years.
While Juventus does not naturally excel at playing out from the back, making a carbon copy of his Scudetto-winning Napoli unlikely, Koopmeiners' presence in the back three has allowed for a more fluid 3-1-3-2-1. Interestingly, in the recent victory against Bologna, we saw attempts at a four-man build-up with the wing-backs dropping deep while staying wide. In possession, Locatelli sits deep as an anchor while Thuram pushes forward, and the two wing-backs tuck inside to create density in midfield.
The Bologna Match: First Signs of an Aggressive Side
The clash against Bologna showcased the first signs of a shift toward a side that is unafraid to attack and willing to accept one-on-one duels across the entire pitch. Kelly marked the opposing striker Dallinga, while Kalulu and Koopmeiners were tasked with containing Orsolini and Cambiaghi. In the middle, the two holding midfielders, Thuram and Locatelli, shielded the defense, neutralizing the late runs of Pobega and Ferguson. Up front, Yildiz and Conceição pressed high on the center-backs and the deep-lying playmaker Moro, a task shared with the striker (Openda).
Vlahovic’s Injury and Squad Limitations
The major blow is Dusan Vlahovic’s injury, which sidelines him for three months. This setback has forced Spalletti to redesign the attack. This is where it gets interesting: while Jonathan David has struggled to replicate his French goal-scoring form, his contribution to the build-up is invaluable. Unlike the Serb, David is a "link-up striker"; he drops deep, knits the play together, and opens corridors for Thuram’s late runs or Yildiz’s drives. The same applies to Loïs Openda: despite less physical presence in the box, his mobility unsettles static defenders. Spalletti is asking both for "dirty work" that rewards the collective, turning Juve into a team without a single focal point but with a thousand different solutions. Finalization is no longer just about crosses for a target man, but central penetrations, low crosses, and long-range efforts from Locatelli and Thuram.
However, risks remain. Bremer’s absence has been deeply felt, as none of the available defenders possess the Brazilian’s recovery speed to cover the space behind a high defensive line. Consequently, we have often seen Juventus retreat into a more cautious 5-4-1 to avoid being exploited by long balls. Furthermore, the lack of depth in defense, midfield, and specifically at left-back and on the wings makes it difficult for Spalletti to pivot to his preferred 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, barring unlikely January investments. Lastly, the team still suffers from "frenzy" in the final third; the coach has frequently been seen berating players for misplaced final passes after excellent build-up play, which often leaves the team vulnerable to counter-attacks. Spalletti must instill a sense of "quietness" in the final third, waiting for the clinical moment to strike.
Conclusion
The path taken in November seems to be the right one. Spalletti’s Juventus is a side that finally dares, accepts the risk of the one-on-one, and is learning to function without its star striker by relying on the quality of its play. If David and Openda can find that clinical edge in front of goal, and if the defense finds a new balance upon Bremer's return (which could finally facilitate the move to a back four), Juventus can truly return to dominating the league. The foundation is there, the courage is evident: now, they need consistency.

And now let's see how to recreate this tactic in Football Manager 2026

SPALLETTI'S JUVENTUS 2025-26 ON FOOTBALL MANAGER 2026

To emulate the tactics used by Luciano Spalletti in these first two months of his Juventus experience, we start with a base formation, the 3-4-2-1, which in possession can become a 3-1-3-2-1 with Locatelli playing deeper than the other midfielder, Thuram. In the defensive phase, the team sets up in a 4-4-2, with either Yildiz or Conceição moving alongside the striker (David or Openda) to lead the first line of pressing. Alternatively, if the opponents bypass the press, Juve compacts into a 5-4-1 with the two wide players dropping into the defensive line.
Mentality: positive
Spalletti wants his team to dominate the opposition and control possession.
Player Roles and Instructions
Goalkeeper: Michele Di Gregorio Di Gregorio is involved in the build-up and can pass to the central defenders or, if they are under pressure, attempt long balls to the dropping striker.
In-possession role: Ball Playing Goalkeeper.
Out-of-possession role: Sweeper Keeper.
Instructions: None.
Central Defenders: Pierre Kalulu, Lloyd Kelly (Gleison Bremer), Teun Koopmeiners
The two wide center-backs, Kalulu and Koopmeiners, stay wider during build-up; specifically, the Dutchman attempts to carry the ball forward and break the defensive line whenever possible. In the defensive phase, as seen against Bologna, the two wide center-backs mark the opposition wingers while the central defender, Kelly, marks the striker.
Kalulu and Koopmeiners
In-possession role: Wide Centre-Back. Instructions: Stay Wider, Dribble More (Koopmeiners only).
Out-of-possession role: Central Defender on Stopper duty (with the "Trigger Press More Often" instruction set by default) moving up to press the opponent.
Instructions: Mark Tighter.
Bremer
In-possession role: Central Defender. Instructions: None.
Out-of-possession role: Central Defender on Stopper duty (with the "Trigger Press More Often" instruction set by default) moving up to press the opponent.
Instructions: Mark Tighter, Specific Man Marking (opposition center-forward).
Wide Players: Weston McKennie and Andrea Cambiaso
Both start wide on the flanks but do not hesitate to tuck inside to congest the central corridors during build-up. This is especially true for the left-back Cambiaso, who maintains a central position acting as an inverted wing-back even in advanced areas, often risking ball loss. Defensively, they drop alongside the three center-backs to form a five-man defensive block when the opposition bypasses the first press.
In-possession role: Wing-back
Instructions: Sit Narrower, Cut Inside with Ball (Cambiaso only).
Out-of-possession role: Pressing Full-back
Instructions: Mark Tighter, Specific Man Marking (opposition full-back as seen against Bologna).
Midfielders: Manuel Locatelli and Khéphren Thuram
Manuel Locatelli (Right Defensive Midfielder) Locatelli stays deep during build-up, almost dropping between the defenders to help control possession. Defensively, he acts as a screen in front of the defense.
In-possession role: Deep Lying Playmaker.
Instructions: None.
Out-of-possession role: Defensive Midfielder.
Instructions: Mark Tighter.
Khéphren Thuram (Left Defensive Midfielder) Thuram plays further forward than Locatelli, often pushing up and attempting long shots more frequently than his partner. His running ability, late runs into the box, and physicality make him a tough opponent. Out of possession, he sits in front of the defense but challenges opponents higher up compared to Locatelli.
In-possession role: Box-to-Box Midfielder.
Instructions: Roam From Position, Move Into Channels, Shoot More Often, Make More Runs.
Out-of-possession role:Pressing Defensive Midfielder.
Instructions: Mark Tighter.
Attacking Midfielders (Shadow Strikers): Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceição
Kenan Yildiz (Left Attacking Midfielder) Spalletti is emphasizing Yildiz's freedom of movement, deploying him as a left trequartista but giving him autonomy to find space. Although the coach would prefer him more central and closer to the goal to exploit his scoring skills, the Turk is proving to be a versatile and decisive element.
Yildiz's heatmap since Spalletti became Juventus manager.

In-possession role: Inside Forward.
Instructions: Dribble More, Shoot More Often (only Yildiz), Cut Inside with Ball, Roam From Position, Stay Wider,
To emulate Yildiz's movement starting wide, I added the "Stay Wider" instruction. However, Yildiz has broad freedom to find space, cut inside, and take shots.
Out-of-possession role: Tracking Wide Midfielder.
Instructions: Trigger Press More Often, Mark Tighter.
Out of possession, both Yildiz and Conceição drop back into midfield near the pivots to avoid leaving space for counter-attacks. In the initial pressing phase, they press high and man-mark the opposition center-backs.
Central Striker: Jonathan David (or Louis Openda)
After Vlahovic's long-term injury, Spalletti utilizes atypical strikers like David and Openda. While not as clinical as Vlahovic, their ability to drop deep, link play, and open spaces for midfielders makes them very useful. Out of possession, they lead the high press by marking the opposition playmaker or center-backs.
In-possession role: Deep Lying Forward.
Instructions: Move Into Channels, Roam From Position.
Out-of-possession role:Tracking Centre Forward.
Instructions: Trigger Press More Often.
Team Instructions (In Possession)


Build-up: bypass pressing.
Juve does not excel at building from the back due to a lack of technically gifted ball-players, despite moving Koopmeiners to center-back. For this reason, Di Gregorio and the defenders may attempt long balls to the dropping striker when pressured, rather than forced short passes.
Support Movements: Underlaps both flanks
The two wing-backs, especially Cambiaso, often look to attack through central channels, creating numerical superiority.
Final Third: Encourage Dribbling, Work Ball Into Box, Low Crosses.
In the final third, Spalletti asks for less frenzy and more possession control to avoid dangerous counters. "Work Ball Into Box" helps the team play with more patience. Without Vlahovic, high crosses are no longer required; Openda and David are targeted with low crosses, which also benefit Thuram's late runs. Dribbling is encouraged to exploit the qualities of Yildiz and Conceição.
General: Shorter Passing, Higher Tempo, Much Narrower Width.
Spalletti wants the team to exploit central corridors and create numerical superiority in the middle, making counter-pressing easier as players are closer together. Ball progression should be fast, but the team must show patience in the final phase.
Offensive Transition: Counter.
Defensive Transition: Counter-press.
Team Instructions (Out of Possession)

General: High Pressing Line, Higher Defensive Line, Step Up More, Trigger Press Much More Often. Pressing Trap: Force Outside. Prevent Short GK Distribution: Yes.
Defensively, Juventus seeks an immediate high press and players accept one-on-one duels. The defensive line is high to keep the team compact, reducing space between the lines and preventing counter-attacks.
Results
Serie A: winner (92 points, 38 games, 28 won 8 draw 2 lost, 91 goals scored 31 goals conceded)
Coppa Italia: knocked-out by Inter in semi-final
Champions League: knocked out by Real Madrid in quarter-finals (0-2 away, 2-1 at home)

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