It’s fair to say there’s some panic building in Turin ahead of Juventus’ Champions League match against Aston Villa this week.
The Premier League side are receiving a lot of respect around Europe for their performances in the competition so far this season. Unai Emery’s expertise in UEFA competitions is well known but the impact Aston Villa have had has made people take notice.
That’s been the case at Juventus and they always expected their trip to Birmingham to be one of their more difficult ties in the Champions League season. Unfortunately for them, they’re facing something of an injury crisis at the wrong time.
Tuttosport, a local Turin sport newspaper which focuses on all things bianconeri, has a headline on Monday afternoon saying Thiago Motta ‘trembles’ after receiving yet more bad injury news.
Added to that, Weston McKennie was also out, and that’s come as something of a surprise.
The US midfielder rejected a move to Aston Villa in the summer which infuriated those in charge at Juventus. He was ostracised, like he had been the previous year, but got his head down and again became an important player for the Serie A side.
McKennie is said to be struggling with a physical problem. The exact details aren’t known, and whilst it’s not thought to be serious there’s obviously concern he won’t be fit enough to face Aston Villa in a couple of days.
Douglas Luiz was also out of training as expected.
Defender Gleison Bremer is out long term with a cruciate repair, as is Juan Cabal. Arkadiusz Milik also has a knee injury, whilst Nico Gonzalez is suffering from muscle problems.
