Michele Di Gregorio

Key strength: Shot-stopping

Shot-stopper

Fourteen matches into a campaign that has shaken the foundations of Italian football's most decorated dynasty, Juventus find themselves languishing in 14th place—their DLWDD form reading like a cry for help from a club accustomed to silverware. Into this storm has stepped Michele Di Gregorio, the 28-year-old shot-stopper Thiago Motta entrusted with resurrecting the Bianconeri's defensive soul. Signed for €18 million from Monza to don the iconic number 16 shirt, Di Gregorio has already commanded 360 minutes across four starts, his aggressive, fearless approach embodied by a yellow card earned through sheer force of will in organizing his area. With a €14.3 million market value reflecting his prime years, he represents more than a goalkeeper—he's Motta's calculated gamble to restore the fortress mentality that once defined Turin. Behind a reshuffled backline featuring Federico Gatti and Andrea Cambiaso, with midfield shields Khéphren Thuram and Nicolò Rovella ahead, Di Gregorio's shot-stopping prowess offers a glimmer of hope. In a season where every clean sheet could spark revival, this commanding Italian stands as the last line of defense—and potentially the first step back toward greatness.