The fitness of midfielder Manuel Locatelli is a major injury doubt for the upcoming Serie A match between Juventus and Inter Milan.
This according to today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews.
Locatelli is currently out with a rib fracture.
The injury has meant that the Italian will not be part of Luciano Spalletti’s Azzurri squad.
He misses EURO 2024 qualifiers against North Macedonia and Ukraine during the break.
But then there is the question of when Locatelli will be able to return at club level.
Juventus face one of the most important matches of their season just after the break.
In the first weekend back after the break, the Bianconeri host Inter. The Derby d’Italia clash will pit first against second in the Serie A table.
Therefore there is a real air of a potential title-decider to the match.
Manuel Locatelli Fitness A Doubt For Juventus Vs Inter Serie A Clash
Locatelli is virtually the last player who Juventus coach Manuel Allegri will want to do without.
The former Sassuolo and AC Milan has become a vital player at the base of midfield.
Allegri has used Locatelli as a regista in a midfield trio this season.
And the 25-year-old has been key both in and out of position in that role.
Locatelli has provided a physical and tactically acute screen in front of the Juventus defense.
And in possession, the ex-Sassuolo man has been the Bianconeri’s creative engine with his range of passing and reading of the tempo of matches.
But Allegri may have to do without Locatelli for the match against Inter. This would certainly be a blow for the Bianconeri.
Particularly given the absence of players like Paul Pogba and Nicolo Fagioli due to bans, there could be something of an injury crisis in the middie of the pitch for Allegri to contend with.
