Alex Sandro is the latest injury doubt for Juve’s all-important Champions League clash against Bayern Munich.
The Brazilian left-back suffered muscular problem during today’s training session and will be evaluated tomorrow. It’s possible he will miss Friday’s trip to Bologna and next Tuesday’s Champions League first-leg against Bayern Munich.
On a more positive note, Leonardo Bonucci has been given the all clear having picked up a knock in last weekend’s 1-0 victory over Napoli. Despite returning to training, it’s expected Daniele Rugani will start against Bologna alongside Andrea Barzagli.
Kwadwo Asamoah will return to training within the next 7 days having missed the last two weeks through a thigh injury while there are hopes that Mario Mandzukic will return for the match against Bayern. The Croatian striker picked up a calf injury in Juve’s 3-0 Coppa Italia victory against Inter Milan at the end of January.
There’s still no word on Mario Lemina, despite him playing in a training match a week ago, but it’s entirely possible that he returns to the squad in the coming week.
Finally, Martin Caceres will sit out the remainder of the season having ruptured his Achilles tendon in the 1-0 victory over Genoa.
Unfortunately there were consistent whispers in the tabloids at least, of Lemina’s knee issues flaring up again. Other than which, we are stronger for Asamoah returning to the ranks, possibly Big Mario, soon after Chiellini. Would be great to see Pereyra get half hour against Bologna, yet now is not the time for resting players. Which will be a debate of sorts.
Bologna have been in brilliant form. Yes we are stronger, much stronger on paper, and have been in consistently stable form ourselves, yet after clawing our way to the top, the last thing we need is to drop points and allow Napoli to regain top spot less than a week after we arrived there.
Big Mario seems eager to face off against his old chums…