Spalletti Banned From Sideline as Juventus Host Gattuso’s Lazio

Luciano Spalletti will not be on the touchline when Juventus host Lazio in Serie A on Sunday evening, serving a suspension handed down after his red card during last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Cagliari. The ban removes the head coach from the dugout for a match that could reshape the top of the Italian league table.

Spalletti was sent off at full-time following a heated exchange with Cagliari manager Fabio Pisacane. He watched from the stands Thursday as Juventus beat Celta Vigo 2-1 away in the Europa League, a fixture where Nick Woltemade started at centre-forward while regulars rested.

VIGO, SPAIN – OCTOBER 15: Juventus players pose for a team photograph before the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between Real Club Celta and Juventus at Estadio Balaidos on October 15, 2026 in Vigo, Spain. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)

Randal Kolo Muani is expected to reclaim his starting spot up front against Lazio. Nico Gonzalez should also return to the XI, replacing either Francisco Conceicao or Kerim Alajbegovic, according to team reports. Douglas Luiz looks set to take over in midfield for Teun Koopmeiners.

Juventus remain short-handed. Kenan Yildiz, Khephren Thuram and Manuel Locatelli are out injured. Jeremie Boga, Jeff Ekhator, Kamil Grabara and Arkadiusz Milik are also unavailable.

Gattuso has transformed Lazio since taking charge. Five wins and one draw in his first six Serie A matches have pushed the Biancocelesti toward the summit. They beat Monza 3-1 right after the international break, though Gattuso publicly criticized his squad’s second-half drop in intensity.

ROME, ITALY – OCTOBER 11: SS Lazio head coach Gennaro Gattuso during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and AC Monza at Stadio Olimpico on October 11, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

Sky Sport Italia predicts Lazio will start Josip Sutalo over Danilho Doekhi at centre-back. Kick-off is scheduled for 19:45 BST. U.S. viewers can watch via Paramount+, while UK audiences have access through TNT Sports, HBO Max and DAZN.

Juventus vs. Lazio: Probable line-ups

VENICE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 19: SS Lazio head coach Gennaro Gattuso during the Serie A match between Venezia FC and SS Lazio at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on September 19, 2026 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

Juventus (3-4-2-1): Vicario; Kalulu, Bremer, Lucumi; Celik, D.Luiz, Sarr, McKennie; N.Gonzalez, Alajbegovic; Kolo Muani.

Lazio (4-3-3): Mandas; Floriani, Sutalo, Provstgaard, Tavares; Frattesi. Belahyane, Taylor; Isaksen, Noslin, Zaccagni.

Where to watch Juventus vs. Lazio

VIGO, SPAIN – OCTOBER 15: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, gestures during the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between Real Club Celta and Juventus at Estadio Balaidos on October 15, 2026 in Vigo, Spain. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)

Football Italia will carry live text coverage of the match.