Why Koopmeiners is still a doubt for Juventus despite special carbon protector | OneFootball

Juventus are hoping to have Teun Koopmeiners fit and available for the return of domestic action this weekend, but the Netherlands international is still a doubt for Saturday’s game against Lazio, despite being able to train with a special carbon protector fitted around his ribs.

Koopmeiners, who joined Juventus for a €50m fee in the summer, left the Netherlands national team camp at the start of the international break after reporting some discomfort in his abdominal area.

Juventus confirmed that he suffered a fracture to one of his ribs, but have since revealed that he has been able to return to training after having a special protective device fitted.

Why Koopmeiners is still a doubt for Juventus

Luca Stefanini, the head of Juve’s medical staff, has recently said that Koopmeiners’ return depends on the level of pain he feels in the build-up to the game.

However, it is not necessarily the pain directly from the rib that makes Koopmeiners a doubt for the Lazio game, rather his ability to breathe comfortably after his recent blow.

If Koopmeiners is unable to take to the field at the weekend, Juventus are hoping to have him back for the Champions League visit from VfB Stuttgart next Tuesday. If he doesn’t play, then Kenan Yildiz or Douglas Luiz are likely to start in the advanced midfield role.