Nine Stars Sidelined as Spalletti Names Bare-Bones 20-Man Roster
Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti has named a depleted 20-man roster for Sunday’s Serie A away fixture against Lecce, with nine senior players sidelined due to physical issues. Defenders Zeki Celik and winger Nico Gonzalez are the latest fitness casualties, having sustained fresh injuries during Thursday’s 2-2 Europa League draw with Stade Rennais. Their immediate withdrawal compounds an existing selection shortage at the Turin club.
Spalletti Navigates Selection Shortage Following Europa League Blows
The loss of Celik and Gonzalez leaves the medical department managing a heavy recovery workload heading into the weekend. The duo join an extensive list of non-available players that includes Kenan Yildiz, Khephren Thuram, Jeff Ekhator, Manuel Locatelli, and goalkeeper Kamil Grabara. Forward Arkadiusz Milik remains out following extended physical rehab and is currently omitted from the official Serie A registered squad list.
Juventus
clubThe severe reduction in physical options forces reliance on a compressed 20-man Traveling party for the trip to the Stadio Via del Mare. The defensive options rely on Gleison Bremer, Federico Gatti, Lloyd Kelly, Pierre Kalulu, Daniele Rugani, Jhon Lucumi, and Juan Cabal, while midfield cover shifts to Douglas Luiz, Teun Koopmeiners, and Weston McKennie. Modern depth up front is limited to Randal Kolo Muani, Edon Zhegrova, Jeremie Boga, Nick Woltemade, Kerim Alajbegovic, and Amin Sarr.
Serie A Turnaround Demands Resilience at Stadio Via del Mare
The physical availability crisis arrives at a sensitive moment in the schedule, as Juventus seek to snap a winless league run stretching back to late September. Having registered their last league victory against Atalanta on September 20, subsequent domestic outings yielded a 1-1 draw at Cagliari and a 3-0 home defeat to Lazio. Sunday’s 17:00 GMT kickoff against Lecce presents an immediate test of depth with minimal structural rotation available on the bench.
