Juventus continue their preparations for the trip to Sassuolo with a seriously depleted squad. Luciano Spalletti already knows he will be without several first-team players, while special attention at Continassa is being paid to the condition of Pape Matar Sarr, Andrea Cambiaso and Weston McKennie.
The latest information brings different news for the three players. Sarr has made an important step forward, while the chances of Cambiaso and McKennie being ready for Sunday's match are getting slimmer. Because of the large number of absentees, Juventus are also forced to look for additional solutions in the Next Gen side.
SARR TAKES AN IMPORTANT STEP TOWARDS A RETURN
The most positive news from Continassa concerns Pape Matar Sarr. The Senegalese midfielder completed part of training with the rest of the group, which is a significant step in his recovery programme. ANSA confirms that his condition is improving and that he is now targeting a call-up for the trip to Sassuolo.
Still, Juventus will not rush. Even if Sarr is among the players called up, it is currently more realistic to expect him to start on the bench than to get serious minutes straight away. For Spalletti, just having him back among the available players would matter given the huge problems in the middle of the pitch.
CAMBIASO BEHIND SCHEDULE
The situation with Andrea Cambiaso is less optimistic. The Italy international is still feeling the effects of his ankle problem and is not ready for normal work with the team. Gazzetta reports that his maximum against Sassuolo could be the bench, if he gets the green light at all. Juventus have no intention of risking a worsening of the injury, especially with the schedule ahead and the start of European commitments. The final decision will therefore depend on the last training sessions before the trip to Reggio Emilia.
MCKENNIE FURTHER AWAY FROM SASSUOLO
The situation with Weston McKennie is not heading towards a quick return either.
The American feels considerably better, but the coaching and medical staff do not want to speed up his recovery. According to Gazzetta, a more realistic target for his return has become the Europa League match against NEC next Thursday rather than the trip to Sassuolo. That means Spalletti could once again have a very limited choice in midfield. At this moment Douglas Luiz and Teun Koopmeiners remain the main senior options for the middle of the pitch, while the coach will have to find additional alternatives.
SPALLETTI CALLS UP A NEW FACE FROM NEXT GEN
The large number of injuries has also opened the door to young players. According to information relayed by a post citing Gazzetta, 20-year-old forward Ismael Konaté has joined the first team and should be available to Spalletti for the match against Sassuolo. His inclusion would give the coach one more option in attack at a moment when his choice is significantly reduced. Konaté thus gets the chance to experience the first-team atmosphere in a competitive match, and depending on how the game develops, he could even get his opportunity.
JUVENTUS DECIMATED AHEAD OF SASSUOLO
The problems with Sarr, Cambiaso and McKennie are only part of a much longer list.
Spalletti is already without Kenan Yıldız, Khéphren Thuram, Manuel Locatelli, Jérémie Boga, Jeff Ekhator and Juan Cabal, which is why Juventus will travel to Reggio Emilia significantly weakened.
That is why the final training sessions will be especially important. Sarr currently gives the most reason for optimism, while the decision on Cambiaso and McKennie will be made without any unnecessary risk.
In such a situation the first-team door opens further for the Next Gen players, and Spalletti will have to find solutions against Sassuolo with far fewer experienced players available.
SOURCES: Romeo Agresti, La Gazzetta dello Sport, ANSA.
