Juventus striker shortage continues after 0-0 Torino draw: Open play issue

Juventus strikers have now gone 49 days without a goal from open play in Serie A following the 0-0 draw against Torino in the Derby della Mole on Saturday evening. 

The Bianconeri were held to a 0-0 draw by their local rivals in Serie A on Saturday: A game that saw both goalkeepers praised but one that prompted criticism of the forwards on the pitch. 

As per La Gazzetta dello Sport, even though he is only three games into his Juventus tenure, head coach Luciano Spalletti is already beginning to encounter some of the issues that hindered his predecessors Igor Tudor and Thiago Motta. 

Juventus have not scored in four of their last six matches in Serie A, one under Spalletti and three under Tudor, and have collected eight points from a possible 18 over that same period. 

What is concerning for the Bianconeri is the fact that none of their attackers have scored from open play in Serie A since Francisco Conceicao’s goal in the 1-1 draw with Hellas Verona on September 20. That means that the league drought is now up to 49 days. 

Dusan Vlahovic’s last goal in Serie A came from the penalty spot during the 3-1 victory over Udinese under caretaker head coach Massimo Brambilla, but his last from open play came in a 1-0 win over Genoa at the end of August. 

Kenan Yildiz also scored a penalty against Udinese, but has not scored from open play in the league since the 4-3 win over Inter in the Derby d’Italia on September 13. 

Jonathan David has not scored at all in Serie A since the opening game of the season, while summer signings Lois Openda and Edon Zhegrova have not yet scored in the league since joining the Old Lady.