Juventus will aim to win their third game on the trot when they welcome Udinese in the Coppa Italia on Tuesday.
Juventus return to Coppa Italia action on Tuesday evening looking to extend a modest but meaningful resurgence, as they welcome Udinese to Turin for a Last 16 showdown between two sides wearing the famous black and white. Fresh from securing back-to-back victories in Europe and Serie A, the Bianconeri are pushing to build momentum across multiple fronts at a crucial point of their season.
The past week has offered both relief and reassurance for Luciano Spalletti. A dramatic stoppage-time winner away to Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League provided a lifeline in Europe, keeping Juventus inside the playoff positions with three matches remaining. Returning home, the team managed to carry that energy into domestic competition, producing a spirited, if uneven, display against Cagliari.
Juventus fell behind after a defensive lapse, but Kenan Yildiz delivered the spark they needed, scoring twice in a decisive five-minute spell to secure a 2-1 victory. Despite the win, Juventus remain outside the top six in Serie A, and their inconsistency continues to define the season. Five wins from their first twelve league fixtures is far below the expectations of a club of their stature.
However, their recent upturn, combined with the opportunity of a deep Coppa Italia run, has given Spalletti a platform to stabilise a turbulent campaign. His personal history with Udinese adds another layer to this fixture; the veteran coach famously guided the Friulani into Europe during one of the most memorable spells of his managerial career. There will be no nostalgia on Tuesday, though, as Juventus chase what would be a record-extending 16th Coppa Italia crown.
History certainly favours them. The Bianconeri have dominated this fixture for years, winning 14 of the last 17 league meetings, including a 3-1 triumph just a few weeks ago. Udinese’s attacking struggles against Juventus have been especially stark, as they have scored only two goals across the last eight head-to-head games, suffering seven defeats in the process. But Udinese arrive in improved spirits.
Kosta Runjaic’s men have had to earn their place in the last 16 the hard way, successfully navigating two earlier rounds. A convincing opening win against Carrarese was followed by a disciplined 2-1 victory over Palermo, with Nicolo Zaniolo and Lennon Miller finding the net. Over the weekend, Udinese struck another encouraging blow, beating Parma 2-0 at the Tardini in a match that featured Zaniolo again and a composed penalty from Keinan Davis.
Runjaic’s bizarre touchline dismissal late in that game overshadowed the performance slightly, but the result itself was pivotal. Udinese snapped a 240-minute goal drought, kept a clean sheet for the first time in weeks, and held their place in the top half of Serie A. For a side that has struggled to find attacking rhythm, the timing of that victory is ideal as they head to Turin in search of an upset.
Still, the task ahead is monumental. Winning at the Allianz Stadium requires discipline, resilience and efficiency, qualities Udinese have only displayed sporadically this season. Juventus, meanwhile, are searching for continuity and a statement cup run that might re-anchor their season. With confidence slowly returning, the pressure is squarely on the hosts to take another step toward the quarter-finals. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
Juventus
Juventus enter this Coppa Italia tie against Udinese with several significant fitness concerns that will influence Luciano Spalletti’s team selection. The most severe setback is the loss of Dusan Vlahovic, who had only recently rediscovered his scoring rhythm after an uncertain start to the campaign.
Spalletti confirmed after the win over Cagliari that the Serbian striker has suffered an adductor injury serious enough to potentially rule him out until 2026, leaving Juve without their spearhead for the foreseeable future. The defensive situation is also problematic.
Both Gleison Bremer and Daniele Rugani will be unavailable due to muscular issues, compounding the long-term absence of Arkadiusz Milik, who remains sidelined and has not featured in months. While first-choice goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio is nearing a return and may be reinstated between the posts, the back line will need reshuffling once again.
In attack, the absence of Vlahovic opens the door for either Jonathan David or Lois Openda to lead the line, with the latter currently favoured to start. Spalletti is also weighing up further rotation to keep his squad fresh across three competitions. Creative wingers Edon Zhegrova and Vasilije Adzic are strong candidates to earn starting roles after impactful performances from the bench.
Juventus are expected to remain in their 3-4-2-1 system against Udinese, a shape Spalletti has used consistently to balance defensive stability with fluidity in the final third. In this structure, Mattia Perin is likely to start in goal if Di Gregorio is not yet deemed ready.
The back three should consist of Pierre Kalulu on the right side of defence, Federico Gatti in the central role, and Lloyd Kelly operating on the left. The wing-back positions will be occupied by Andrea Cambiaso on the right and Juan Cabal on the left, offering width and pace in transition.
In midfield, Manuel Locatelli is set to anchor the team from the base of the central unit, partnered by Teun Koopmeiners, whose ball-carrying and vertical passing offer a different dynamic. Ahead of them, Edon Zhegrova and Vasilije Adzic will operate as the pair of attacking midfielders, drifting inside to support the lone striker. Leading the line for Juventus, Lois Openda is expected to start as the central forward, tasked with stretching Udinese’s defensive shape with his movement and pace.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Perin; Kalulu, Gatti, Kelly; Cambiaso, Locatelli, Koopmeiners, Cabal; Zhegrova, Adzic; Openda
Udinese Calcio
Udinese arrive in Turin to take on Juventus with encouraging squad availability, as head coach Kosta Runjaic has close to a full complement of players at his disposal. Only two names are confirmed absentees: Hassane Kamara, who remains sidelined with a muscle issue, and Thomas Kristensen, who is continuing his recovery from a long-term injury. Their absence slightly restricts defensive rotation, but overall, Udinese’s depth remains strong for this Coppa Italia fixture.
With the Friulani balancing their league campaign and the cup, Runjaic is expected to rotate his squad once again. Despite his excellent recent form, Nicolo Zaniolo may not start, as the coaching staff look to manage his workload.
This opens the door for several forwards, Keinan Davis, Adam Buksa, Vakoun Issouf Bayo, and Iker Bravo, all of whom are pushing hard for a place in the starting eleven. Rising talent Lennon Miller, who has impressed in his limited Serie A minutes, is also a strong contender to be given another opportunity to showcase his potential in a high-stakes cup environment.
Against Juventus, Udinese are likely to continue using their flexible 3-5-2 structure, which allows defensive solidity while providing ample support for the two strikers. In this setup, Maduka Okoye should start in goal, with a back three formed by Saba Goglichidze on the right of defence, Christian Kabasele as the central defender, and Oumar Solet on the left side of the trio.
The wing-backs will be Kingsley Ehizibue on the right flank and Jordan Zemura operating on the left, both tasked with providing width and pushing forward in transition. In midfield, Lennon Miller is expected to take up a central role, flanked by Jesper Karlstrom and Arthur Atta, offering a blend of physicality, work rate, and forward progression through the middle of the pitch.
Up front, the attacking partnership should consist of Iker Bravo and Adam Buksa against Juventus, with both players capable of pressing aggressively and attacking crosses, an approach suited to Udinese’s direct and fast-paced cup game model.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Okoye; Goglichidze, Kabasele, Solet; Ehizibue, Miller, Karlstrom, Atta, Zemura; Bravo, Buksa
Key Stats
- Juventus have won 14 of their last 17 matches against Udinese across all competitions, underlining a huge historical advantage heading into this Coppa Italia tie.
- Udinese have scored just two goals in their last eight meetings with Juventus, failing to consistently break through the Bianconeri defence.
- The Turin giants are aiming for their 16th Coppa Italia title, making them the most successful club in the history of the competition.
- Udinese have already played two rounds to reach this stage, scoring four goals in the process, including a key 2-1 win over Palermo.
- Juventus have won back-to-back matches heading into this fixture, one in Serie A and one in the Europa League playoff race, which marks only their second two-game winning streak since mid-September.
Player to Watch
Lois Openda
With Dusan Vlahovic sidelined and Juventus needing a reliable focal point in attack, Lois Openda steps into the spotlight as the man expected to lead the line in this Coppa Italia tie. The Belgian striker has shown flashes of his explosive pace and direct running since joining the club, and this fixture provides the ideal platform for him to make a real statement.
Openda’s greatest strengths lie in his acceleration, movement between the lines, and ability to attack space behind defenders, qualities that could trouble an Udinese side likely to sit in a compact block away from home. His sharpness inside the box has already been evident in limited minutes, and with the added confidence of Spalletti’s trust, he is well-positioned to leave his mark.
Against an Udinese back three that has struggled against dynamic forwards, Openda’s agility and instinctive finishing could prove decisive. If he finds early rhythm, Juventus’ hopes of reaching the quarter-finals may well rest on his shoulders.
Prediction
Juventus 2-0 Udinese Calcio
Juventus enter this Coppa Italia clash with renewed confidence after consecutive victories in Europe and Serie A, while Udinese arrive buoyed by their weekend win over Parma. However, the gulf in quality and depth between the two squads remains significant, especially with the match being played in Turin.
Even with expected rotation from Luciano Spalletti, Juventus should still field a side strong enough to dictate possession, control midfield battles, and create consistent chances. The absence of Dusan Vlahovic places added responsibility on Loïs Openda or Jonathan David, but either striker should find opportunities against an Udinese defence that has struggled to contain quick, mobile forwards.
Udinese may enjoy moments of threat through their energetic front line, particularly if Iker Bravo or Adam Buksa find space on the break. But sustaining pressure at the Allianz Stadium will be difficult. Juventus’s technical superiority, home advantage, and deeper bench should ultimately shine through.
