Spalletti target immediate return for two Juventus stars | OneFootball

With injuries ravaging his midfield, Luciano Spalletti is set to be forced into recalling players who had been expected to spend more time building their fitness before becoming heavily involved in first team action.

The Bianconeri remain one of the most important teams in Italian football, and supporters had expected this to be a significant season as Juve aim to compete for trophies. Last season ended in disappointment, and this campaign was expected to bring improvement, but the men in black and white are already struggling to keep key players fit.

Juve know that maintaining squad fitness will be essential if they are to achieve success, yet injuries have continued to disrupt their plans and create problems in key areas of the pitch.

Midfield problems force changes

Luciano Spalletti is now set to fast-track the inclusion of Pape Matar Sarr and the return of Weston McKennie, according to Tuttojuve, after Manuel Locatelli’s injury pushed the Old Lady into emergency mode.

The report states that Sarr had been given time to build his fitness after joining the club only a few days before the transfer window closed. McKennie, meanwhile, suffered an injury in the Bianconeri’s first match of the season and has missed the following two fixtures.

Juve are now short of numbers in midfield, and there are fears that another injury in that position could create a full-blown crisis. As a result, Spalletti is being forced to bring both players back into action sooner than the club had originally intended.

(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Juve need solutions quickly

Sarr is not injured, while McKennie has progressed well in his recovery, but the American midfielder would likely have been given more time had Locatelli not suffered the serious injury that is expected to keep him out for several months.

The situation leaves Juve with limited options in midfield at an important stage of the season. The Bianconeri will now hope that Sarr and McKennie can provide the support needed until more players return from injury.

For Spalletti, finding the right balance between protecting players and dealing with an injury crisis could be one of the key challenges in the coming weeks as Juve look to remain competitive across all competitions.