Juventus adjust midfield options following long-term injuries to Locatelli and Thuram
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 9, 2026, 7:40 AM
Last updated Sep 9, 2026

Juventus face a significant personnel shortage in midfield following injuries to first-choice starters Manuel Locatelli and Khéphren Thuram. Both players required surgery for knee issues and are expected to remain sidelined until at least the turn of the year. The club must now rely on a makeshift rotation to address these absences in the coming months. Douglas Luiz is expected to maintain a deep-lying role, while Pape Matar Sarr and Weston McKennie remain candidates for increased minutes despite managing minor muscular issues. Other options include adjusting Kenan Yıldız, Augusto Owusu, Nico González, or Jhon Lucumí to accommodate positional needs. The squad prepares for an upcoming match against Sassuolo on Sunday night.
- •Manuel Locatelli and Khéphren Thuram are sidelined following knee surgeries.
- •Both players are unavailable for selection until at least January.
- •Pape Matar Sarr and Weston McKennie are tasked with larger roles despite minor injuries.
- •Juventus play Sassuolo on Sunday night.
- •Alternative solutions include moving wingers and defenders into central midfield positions.
- 7:40 AMYahoo Sports — How Juventus plan to rebuild midfield after injury crisis
"The new season is barely underway, and already Juventus have a crisis on their hands.Not only are their first-choice midfielders Manuel Locatelli and Khéphren Thuram out injured for long, both have ...
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