“Juventus” returns to the Europa League against Rennes, who have lost all their European away matches in Italy. A third win would strengthen their position at the top of Serie A after a 3-0 home defeat to Lazio left them eighth in Serie A.
Juventus need an answer, and Europe offers the shortest route to one. Luciano Spalletti’s side host Franck Haise’s Rennes at the Allianz Stadium on Matchday 3. They do so as league stage leaders. Rennes has 4 points.
The background is disturbing. It’s the first match since a 3-0 home defeat by Lazio that left Juventus in eighth place in Serie A. Spalletti watched the game from the stands while serving a one-match ban. The ban was imposed after a confrontation with Cagliari head coach Fabio Pisacane. Assistant Marco Domenicini was assigned to the bench.
Later, Spalletti said that he should take a serious look at his relations with the players. He also admitted that “Juventus” is worse than Lazio. The schedule was tight. The squad returned from Vigo at 4:30 a.m. and it was decided that they would not practice that day.
Europe was the brighter side of the season
The Europa League tells a different story. “Juventus” won 5:0 at home against NEC Nijmegen on September 17. After that, “Celta” won 2:1. After that game, the coach spoke about his desire not to decide on his side.
The goals came freely. “Juventus” has 7 players for now. The 2003/04 season was the last time the club scored eight goals in their opening trio at a major European tournament. He came to the Champions League at that time.
Randal Kolo Muani is the focus of this speech. He scored 5 goals in his last 5 games in Champions League and Europa League.
A third European win will ease some pressure on Spalletti. It will also strengthen Juventus’ grip at the top. The visitors won’t make it easy, though. “Rennes” has lost only once this season.
Rennes arrive with a poor Italian record and a suspect striker
History favors the hosts. Rennes have lost all four of their European away matches in Italy, each against a different club. “Juventus” was one of them. In 1999, in the final of the UEFA Intertoto Cup, “Juventus” won with a total score of 4:2. Filippo Inzaghi scored both goals in a 2-0 win in Turin. Zinedine Zidane and Alessandro Del Piero participated in the construction of the second. The return match in France ended with a score of 2-2.
Rennes’ campaign started on September 16 with a goalless draw away to Sturm Graz. They then hosted OFI Crete on October 15th.
Their training took a big hit. Get French Football News reports that Lepaul injured his ankle in Sunday’s Ligue 1 defeat at Paris FC and is due to undergo tests. He wanted to go into extra time with the score 3-3. Haise was unable to see the forward suit up on Thursday. This will deprive Rennes of their main attacking option for the trip to Turin.
The opportunity for “Juventus” is clear. A win will build momentum in the league stage, which ends on Thursday, January 28, 2027. Rennes returns to Europa League action at home against Olympiakos on November 5, 2026.
Further reading
📷 Allianz Stadium Turin: Original: forzaq8, Kuwait, Kuwait
Credit: Benj90, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons