Thiago Motta will aim to start his Juventus stint with a win in the Serie A opener against Como on Monday night.
A new era begins for Serie A giants Juventus as they kick off their 2024/25 campaign under the guidance of new manager Thiago Motta, hosting recently promoted Como on Monday evening. After a summer filled with changes, the Bianconeri are poised to embark on a season of renewal and ambition. But their first test will be against a Como side eager to spoil the party.
Last season saw Juventus briefly flirt with the idea of a two-horse race for the Scudetto. But a disappointing second half left them trailing in third place, a staggering 23 points behind champions Inter Milan. Despite securing a return to the Champions League, former manager Massimiliano Allegri’s pragmatic approach came under heavy criticism. His tenure ended dramatically after a very public outburst during the Coppa Italia final — a match Juventus won — b ringing an abrupt conclusion to his second spell in Turin.
In response, Juventus turned to Thiago Motta, whose impressive stint at Bologna caught the eye. Motta is expected to bring a more proactive style of football to the Bianconeri, along with a renewed hunger for silverware. His Bologna side was known for its defensive solidity, keeping 18 clean sheets in home matches and conceding just 23 goals across 35 games at Stadio Dall’Ara.
Juventus’s squad has seen significant refreshment under Motta’s direction, with new signings such as Michele Di Gregorio, Khephren Thuram, and Douglas Luiz bolstering the team. However, pre-season results have been mixed, featuring defeats to Nurnberg and Atletico Madrid, bookending a 2-2 draw with Brest. As the new season dawns, Juventus will be eager to shake off these early setbacks and start strong.
Their opening fixture against Como marks the first time these two teams have met on Serie A’s opening day since 1988, when Juventus secured a comfortable 3-0 victory. A similar result on Monday would be the perfect way to kick off Motta’s tenure. History is on Juve’s side as well; Como are winless in their last 21 Serie A games against the Turin giants and are returning to Italy’s top flight after a 21-year absence.
Como, however, comes into the match with ambitions of their own. Now under the leadership of former assistant Cesc Fabregas, who has taken over managerial duties from Osian Roberts, Como is determined to make their mark in Serie A. Backed by the richest owners in Italian football, the club has made significant moves in the transfer market, including the high-profile signing of World Cup winner Raphael Varane.
Pre-season brought a mix of results for Como, with victories over Cagliari and Las Palmas, followed by a defeat to Saudi side Al-Hilal and a goalless draw with Wolfsburg. However, their competitive debut for the season ended in disappointment, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Sampdoria in the Coppa Italia before being eliminated on penalties.
As Juventus and Como prepare to face off, the stage is set for a fascinating encounter between a Serie A giant under new management and a newly promoted side with big ambitions. For Juventus, a convincing win would set the tone for a successful season under Thiago Motta, while for Como, a strong performance could signal their intent to compete at the highest level.
The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up for the night and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
Juventus
Thiago Motta has wasted no time in making his mark on Juventus, ruthlessly reshaping the squad as the club looks to reclaim its dominance in Serie A. Notably, Federico Chiesa has been frozen out of the first-team setup, a clear indication of Motta’s willingness to make bold decisions.
In another significant move, long-time goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was released, and Moise Kean has made the switch to Fiorentina, signalling a clear departure from the past. Among the fresh faces expected to feature in Juventus’s new-look starting XI are Douglas Luiz and Michele Di Gregorio, both of whom have quickly integrated into Motta’s plans.
Additionally, Khephren Thuram, who has arrived from OGC Nice, is set to make his Serie A debut, joining his brother Marcus Thuram, who plays for Inter Milan, in Italy. There are also whispers that Nicolas Gonzalez and Teun Koopmeiners may soon be heading to Turin, further strengthening the squad. However, the spotlight will be on a familiar face up front: Dusan Vlahovic.
Juventus are expected to line up in a 4-1-4-1 formation, with Michele Di Gregorio starting in goal, providing a steady presence between the posts. The back four will consist of Danilo on the right side, Federico Gatti and Gleison Bremer forming the central defensive partnership, and Andrea Cambiaso taking up the left-back position, contributing both defensively and offensively.
In midfield, Khephren Thuram will operate as the lone defensive midfielder, offering protection to the backline while helping to transition the ball forward. The attacking midfield quartet will feature Timothy Weah on the right wing, Manuel Locatelli and Douglas Luiz in the central roles, and Kenan Yildiz on the left wing, all tasked with creating opportunities and linking up with the attack.
Up front, Dusan Vlahovic will lead the line as the central striker, expected to use his goalscoring ability to spearhead the Juventus attack.
Probable Lineup (4-1-4-1): Di Gregorio; Danilo, Gatti, Bremer, Cambiaso; Thuram; Weah, Locatelli, Luiz, Yildiz; Vlahovic
Como
Andrea Belotti, known as ‘Il Gallo,’ has faced challenges in recent years, struggling to make a significant impact during his stints in Serie A. However, the Italy striker has now found a new home with Como, where he hopes to rejuvenate his career. Belotti has a knack for performing on Serie A’s opening matchday, having scored five times in such fixtures — only Ciro Immobile and Luis Muriel have netted more among active players.
In goal, fellow summer signing Pepe Reina is expected to start, bringing his vast experience to the Como lineup. Unfortunately, the team will be without their marquee defensive signing, Raphael Varane, as the former Real Madrid defender has been sidelined with a knee injury that will keep him out for at least three weeks.
Adding to Como’s selection challenges, Alessio Iovine is unavailable after receiving a red card against Sampdoria, meaning he must serve a suspension. In his absence, Tommaso Cassandro is likely to be brought into the visitors’ back four as they face the daunting task of containing Juventus’ potent attack.
Como are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Pepe Reina starting in goal, bringing his wealth of experience to the backline. The defence will consist of Tommaso Cassandro at right-back, Edoardo Goldaniga and Alberto Dossena forming the central defensive partnership, and Gabriel Moreno occupying the left-back position.
In midfield, Matthias Braunoder and Luca Mazzitelli will anchor the team as the two defensive midfielders, tasked with breaking up play and providing support to both defence and attack. The attacking midfield trio will feature Gabriel Strefezza on the right wing, Patrick Cutrone playing centrally as the attacking midfielder, and Lucas Da Cunha on the left wing, all working to create chances and link up with the attack.
Leading the line will be Andrea Belotti, who will spearhead the attack as the lone striker, aiming to rediscover his goal-scoring form for his new club.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Reina; Cassandro, Goldaniga, Dossena, Moreno; Braunoder, Mazzitelli; Strefezza, Cutrone, Da Cunha; Belotti
Key Stats
- After losing three of their first five games (W1 D1) against Como in Serie A between 1949 and 1952, Juventus have remained unbeaten in each of their subsequent 21 matches (W12 D9). The most recent encounter in Serie A ended in a 3-1 victory for Juventus on February 22 2003.
- Como have drawn more matches against Juventus in Serie A than against any other side, with 10 out of 26 matches ending in a draw (W3 L13).
- Juventus and Como will face each other on the opening day of a Serie A campaign for the first time since the 1988/89 season, where Juventus secured a 3-0 victory. Notably, two of Como’s last three seasonal debuts in the top division have come against Juventus.
- Juventus have won more matches on Matchday 1 of a Serie A season than any other side in history, with a total of 59 victories. This includes seven wins across their last eight opening-day matches (D1).
- Como return to Serie A this season for the first time in 21 years, exactly 7,758 days since their last match in Italy’s top division on 24 May 2003, where they secured a 1-0 victory against Torino. Only once before, between May 1953 and October 1975, did Como have to wait longer to return to Serie A (8,162 days).
Player to Watch
Khephren Thuram
Son of the legendary Juventus defender Lilian Thuram, Khephren Thuram is set to be the player to watch in this game as he makes his highly anticipated Serie A debut for Juventus. The young French midfielder arrives in Turin with a burgeoning reputation, having excelled at OGC Nice in Ligue 1 over the past few seasons.
Thuram has been one of the standout performers in Ligue 1, where he led his former club in several key attacking metrics, including completed dribbles, chances created, and shots attempted following a carry. This ability to drive the team forward and create opportunities makes him a significant addition to Juventus’ midfield.
The Frenchman’s versatility and physical presence will be crucial in both breaking up opposition play and transitioning quickly into attack. His dynamic style of play aligns well with the proactive football that new manager Thiago Motta is expected to implement at Juventus, making Thuram a key figure in this new-look side.
Prediction
Juventus 2-0 Como
Juventus have an unparalleled record in Serie A openers, having won more than any other club in the league’s history. With seven victories in their last eight season-opening matches, they are well-positioned to secure their 60th win on Monday.
As Como adjust to life in the top flight, Juventus, eager to impress under the guidance of new manager Thiago Motta, will look to capitalise on their opponents’ potential vulnerabilities. This combination of Juve’s historical strength in season openers and Como’s period of adaptation makes the Turin giants heavy favorites to kick off their campaign with a convincing victory.
