Arek Milik’s challenging recovery continues as he has now been ruled out for another match. The Juventus striker missed the season opener against Como and will also sit out the upcoming game against Verona. Initially, Milik was expected to return to training on Thursday, which would have made him a candidate for selection for the match tomorrow. However, he experienced lingering discomfort, leading the Juventus medical staff to prioritize his health and avoid risking further injury.
Milik aims to return in time for the match against Roma, but there is a possibility he could be sidelined until after the September international break. His expected recovery time of 30-40 days following knee surgery in early June has been prolonged. The injury, which occurred during a friendly match between Poland and Ukraine, forced him to withdraw from the European Championship. After undergoing surgery, he stayed in Turin to begin rehabilitation with the hope of being fit by the end of July or early August. Unfortunately, his return to training has been postponed multiple times, with the most recent delay just last Thursday.
Milik’s absence adds to Juventus’ growing list of unavailable players for their second Bundesliga match. Alongside him, Adzic, Weah, and Thuram are all injured and unlikely to recover in time for the Roma match on September 1st. Additionally, team captain Danilo is a doubt for the game after missing training due to a contusion on his left heel. His condition will be assessed today after the final training session to determine if he can join the squad traveling to Verona.
Juventus manager Thiago Motta is facing difficult decisions due to these injuries. In a surprising move during the first match, he started young talent Mbangula for his Serie A debut and left Douglas Luiz on the bench. Motta has chosen the young player from the Next Gen squad as he thought Luiz still needed more time to regain fitness after his participation in the Copa America with Brazil, where he returned later than his teammates, including Danilo and Bremer.
With Thuram Junior out due to a hamstring injury, Motta will need to reconsider his lineup. Luiz is now a strong contender for a starting role alongside Locatelli in a two-man midfield. Alternatively, Fagioli could step in, having also begun the match against Como on the bench.
Upfront, Motta is forced to make changes following Weah’s absence, who has suffered a similar hamstring injury to Thuram. This situation may prompt Motta to deploy Cambiaso as a wide player, with young Savona taking up the right-back position, a strategy he already utilized in the second half against Como after Weah had to leave the field.
New signing Kalulu, who has arrived from AC Milan on loan, is set to make his debut for Juventus, adding fresh energy as the team navigates a tricky patch with multiple injuries.