Spalletti Loads the Cannon: Juventus Gear Up for Easter Monday Genoa Thriller

Easter Monday footy doesn't get much tastier than this. Juventus, sitting pretty in fifth, are eyeing Como's fourth-place perch in the Serie A Champions League chase. With a near fully-fit squad, Luciano Spalletti has named his strongest possible XI for the Allianz Stadium showdown against Genoa at 17:00 BST – time to crack open the lagers and settle in.

No major injury headaches for the Bianconeri, though Dusan Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik might ease back in from the bench after long layoffs. Expect continuity from their 1-1 draw with Sassuolo pre-break: Jonathan David or Jeremie Boga leading the line, backed by the lively trio of Kenan Yildiz, Weston McKennie, and Francisco Conceicao. Midfield anchors Khephren Thuram and Manuel Locatelli will boss the engine room, while the back four of Pierre Kalulu, Gleison Bremer, Lloyd Kelly, and Andrea Cambiaso shield Mattia Perin in goal – Michele Di Gregorio still on the sidelines.

Full Juventus Squad: Depth to Die For

Spalletti's not messing about. Here's the confirmed list, as tweeted by the club:

Goalkeepers: Perin, Di Gregorio, Pinsoglio

Defenders: Holm, Bremer, Gatti, Kelly, Kalulu, Cambiaso, Cabal

Midfielders: Locatelli, Koopmeiners, Kostic, Thuram, Miretti, McKennie

Forwards: Conceicao, Vlahovic, Yildiz, Zhegrova, Boga, Milik, Openda, David

That's a bench deep enough to make opposition managers weep. As reported by Peter Young and Susy Campanale at Football Italia, the Old Lady are playing some of Italy's slickest stuff right now – alongside those pesky Comrades up the table.

De Rossi's Genoa: Set-Piece Wizardry and Spalletti Respect

Over in the away dugout, Daniele De Rossi is plotting an upset after Genoa's pre-break stumble against Udinese. Youngster Brooke Norton-Cuffy is out injured from England U21 duty, so Aaron Martin gets the left-wing nod over Stefano Sabelli. "Martin's a set-piece sorcerer," grinned De Rossi to Sky Sport Italia. "His fitness is through the roof, and with five subs, we've got options – though Juve's XI is top-drawer."

It's a nostalgic touchline tilt too. De Rossi, one of Spalletti's 'football sons' from their Roma days (251 games, 30 goals, 27 assists – not bad for a midfielder), heaped praise on his old gaffer. "He adapts, evolves, stays modern despite the years. Proper coach." De Rossi's Grifone will lean on dead-ball threats to nick something, but facing this Juve machine? Tall order, mate.

Verdict: Bianconeri to Bounce Back?

Juve need points to reel in Como as the 2025-26 Serie A sprint heats up. Genoa's grit could make it chewy, but Spalletti's firepower – think Yildiz's flair, Thuram's box-to-box bustle – should prevail. Tune into the liveblog for all the action from this and the other Easter Monday ties. Fancy a cheeky bet? Juve win to nil feels solid. What's your shout, lads?