Juventus host Rennes, beaten on all four European trips to Italy, as Lepaul faces absence

Juventus return to Europa League action against a Rennes side that have lost every European away match they have played in Italy. A third win would strengthen their hold on first place after the 3-0 home defeat to Lazio left them eighth in Serie A.

Juventus need a response, and Europe offers the quickest route to one. Luciano Spalletti’s side host Franck Haise’s Rennes at the Allianz Stadium on Matchday 3. They do so as leaders of the league phase. Rennes have four points.

The backdrop is uncomfortable. This is the first match since the 3-0 home defeat to Lazio that left Juventus eighth in Serie A. Spalletti watched that game from the stands while serving a one-match ban. The ban followed a confrontation with Cagliari coach Fabio Pisacane. Assistant Marco Domenichini took charge on the bench.

Afterwards, Spalletti said he needed to take a hard look at his relationship with the players. He also admitted Juventus had been worse than Lazio. The schedule had been tight. The squad got back from Vigo at 4:30am, and it was decided they would not train that day.

Europe has been the brighter side of the season

The Europa League tells a different story. Juventus opened with a 5-0 home win over N.E.C. Nijmegen on 17 September. A 2-1 win at Celta followed. After that game, the coach spoke of a desire in his side not to settle.

Goals have come freely. Juventus have seven so far. The 2003/04 season is the last time the club hit the eight-goal mark across an opening trio of matches in a major European tournament. Back then, it came in the Champions League.

Randal Kolo Muani is central to that output. He has had a hand in five goals across his last five appearances in the Champions League and Europa League.

A third European win would ease some of the pressure on Spalletti. It would also tighten Juventus’ grip on top spot. The visitors will not make it easy, though. Rennes have lost only once this season.

Rennes arrive with a poor Italian record and a striker doubt

History favours the hosts. Rennes have lost all four of their European away matches in Italy, each against a different club. Juventus were one of them. In the 1999 UEFA Intertoto Cup final, Juventus won 4-2 on aggregate. Filippo Inzaghi scored both goals in the 2-0 win in Turin. Zinedine Zidane and Alessandro Del Piero were involved in the build-up to the second. The return leg in France ended 2-2.

Rennes’ campaign began with a goalless draw away at Sturm Graz on 16 September. They then hosted OFI Crete on 15 October.

Their preparation has been hit hard. Lepaul hurt his ankle in Sunday’s Ligue 1 defeat at Paris FC and is due to have tests, Get French Football News reported. He asked to come off in added time with the score at 3-3. Haise could not see the striker being fit by Thursday. That would leave Rennes without a key attacking option for their trip to Turin.

For Juventus, the opportunity is clear. A win would build momentum in a league phase that finishes on Thursday 28 January 2027. Rennes return to Europa League action at home to Olympiacos on 5 November 2026.