Alajbegović on Juventus Bench for Season Opener, Yildiz and McKennie Ahead of Him
Bosnia's young star will start the season on the bench, with Spalletti favoring Yildiz and McKennie.
Bosnia's young star will start the season on the bench, with Spalletti favoring Yildiz and McKennie.
Kerim Alajbegović, the 18-year-old Bosnian international and one of Juventus's most expensive signings this summer, is expected to start the new Serie A season on the bench. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Spalletti has set his starting XI for Sunday's away match against Frosinone, and the young forward is not among them.
According to the Italian sports daily's projection, Juventus will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Randal Kolo Muani will lead the attack, with Francisco Conceição on the right wing and Kenan Yildiz on the left. In the attacking midfield role, Weston McKennie gets the nod, as Spalletti plans to use him in an advanced position.
Gazzetta writes that Alajbegović will have to work hard and sweat to earn a starting spot in Spalletti's Juventus, whether on the left wing or as an attacking midfielder.
"The Italian coach currently prefers Kenan Yildiz and Weston McKennie in those positions and does not want to drop them from the first team," Gazzetta reports.
Newly signed center-back Jhon Lucumí finds himself in a similar situation, also a candidate to come off the bench. Spalletti will decide during the match when the best time is to bring Alajbegović into the game.
This development is interesting given the amount Juventus invested in Alajbegović this summer. In early August, the Turin club signed Alajbegović from Leverkusen for €30 million, with potential add-ons of up to €2 million and bonuses up to €5 million. His contract with Juventus runs until the summer of 2031.
Alajbegović spent last season at Salzburg, where he made 44 appearances across all competitions, scoring 13 goals and providing 4 assists. He is capable of playing on both flanks and behind the striker, and Juventus highlighted his ability to use both feet during his presentation.
During the preseason, he was given plenty of opportunities. In early August, Gazzetta included him in Juventus's ideal lineup in the attacking midfield role, and after the friendly against Inter, his performance was rated positively. Alajbegović played 45 minutes against Inter and 61 minutes against Palermo.
However, ahead of the season opener, the more experienced McKennie was chosen for that role. Although he won't celebrate his 19th birthday until September, Alajbegović is already a regular member of Bosnia and Herzegovina's senior national team. He has earned 11 caps and scored two goals for his country, one of which came at this year's World Cup.
Juventus kicks off their league campaign on Sunday at 18:30 with an away match against newly promoted Frosinone. According to Gazzetta's current predictions, Alajbegović will make his Serie A debut from the bench.
