Juventus Midfield Plunged Into Crisis as Manuel Locatelli Faces Three-Month Absence
Juventus captain Manuel Locatelli is set for a minimum three-month spell on the sidelines after sustaining an external meniscus injury during the draw with Milan. TuttoSport confirmed that medical evaluations necessitated an operation, with club staff opting for a meniscus repair procedure to secure long-term structural stability.
Meniscus Surgery Mandates Extended Recovery For Juventus Captain
The prolonged absence compresses manager Luciano Spalletti’s available options in central areas at a critical juncture in the domestic calendar. Juventus are already operating without Khephren Thuram following his extensive layoff, while Weston McKennie has missed successive fixtures due to muscular fatigue. Recent arrival Pape Sarr also remained unavailable against Milan due to a minor muscular issue stemming from his switch from Tottenham.
Juventus
clubSquad Depth Stretched Across Multiple Departments
To cope with the severe personnel shortage in midfield, the coaching staff could draw directly from the Next Gen academy setup to bolster matchday squads. Broader physical concerns persist across the wider roster, with Kenan Yildiz recovering from foot surgery, Jeff Ekhator and Juan Cabal facing further weeks out, and Andrea Cambiaso managing an ankle sprain.
TuttoSport confirmed that medical evaluations necessitated an external meniscus repair, which is favored by the surgical team as the most durable long-term solution despite the extended rehabilitation timeline.
