Edon Zhegrova is still waiting for the moment when he moves from impact substitute to a regular first-choice option for Luciano Spalletti. Against Fiorentina he again entered after the break, even though La Gazzetta dello Sport had reported before the match that the coach was seriously considering handing him a start.
Nine league appearances, none from the start
Opta’s updated figures give Zhegrova nine Serie A appearances, 247 minutes, two goals and two assists. Every one of those appearances has come from the bench. He played 33 minutes in Florence, which neatly describes his current status: Spalletti sees him as a tool to change a match’s rhythm, but has not yet trusted him with the full game plan from kick-off.
The trip to Fiorentina looked like an obvious opportunity to break that pattern. Juventus had eight absentees, Zhegrova was fresh because he is not on the Europa League squad list, and Gazzetta reported that he had been tested in the front three during the final training session. Spalletti ultimately chose another solution and again kept him in reserve.
The issue is not his attacking output
Two goals and two assists in 247 league minutes is production that does not, on its own, explain the lack of starts. Gazzetta notes the clear progress from his first Juventus season, when he finished without a goal or assist. This campaign has already brought a brace against Sassuolo and assists against Atalanta and Napoli.
BianconeraNews, however, stresses that Spalletti wants greater concentration without the ball. The requirement goes beyond dribbling and creating one-on-one advantages: positioning in the press, tracking back and the reaction immediately after possession is lost also matter. Those are the details separating a specialist substitute from a player trusted to start.
Fiorentina did not change the hierarchy
Zhegrova came on with Fiorentina leading 2-1 when Juventus wanted more unpredictability on the right, but his introduction did not change the match enough to alter the hierarchy immediately.
The key remains what Spalletti has asked for: more consistency without the ball. Zhegrova’s attacking numbers support the case for a larger role, while pressing, recovery runs and reactions after losing possession remain part of the decision.
Read also: Capello demands more from Spalletti and questions Juventus’ hunger · Spalletti: “We are down to thirteen”. Napoli win, injuries and the training camp
Sources: BianconeraNews · La Gazzetta dello Sport · Opta Analyst · Sky Sport