Juventus' Kenan Yildiz Battles Knee Issue Ahead of Crucial Milan Clash
Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti faces a late decision on the fitness of playmaker Kenan Yildiz ahead of Saturday's pivotal Serie A encounter with AC Milan at the San Siro. According to reports from Italy, Yildiz participated in the squad's final training session on Friday alongside striker Dusan Vlahovic, but his availability from the start remains in doubt due to a persistent knee inflammation that has troubled him all season.
The 21-year-old Turkish international was managed carefully last weekend, coming off the bench in the draw with Bologna. Club sources indicate Yildiz is keen to start against Milan in a match that could solidify Juventus's hold on third place, but the final assessment will be made based on his reaction to the group session. Should he be deemed unfit to start, Jeremie Boga is reportedly the most likely replacement on the left side of the attack.
For Juventus, the return of Vlahovic to the matchday squad is a significant boost, though the Serbian striker is expected to begin the game among the substitutes as he works his way back to full match sharpness. The club confirmed that Arkadiusz Milik and Juan Cabal have been ruled out for the remainder of the season, but otherwise Spalletti has a full complement of players available, including goalkeeper Mattia Perin and midfielder Khephren Thuram.
The context of the fixture adds considerable weight to the selection dilemma. Juventus currently occupies third place, with the battle for the final automatic Champions League qualification spots intensifying in Serie A's closing weeks. A positive result at the San Siro would provide a major step towards securing a return to Europe's premier club competition, a fundamental objective for the Turin club this campaign.
Yildiz, a product of the Bayern Munich academy who joined Juventus in 2022, has emerged as a key creative force this season despite his ongoing physical struggles. His potential absence or limitation would be a blow to a Juventus attack that has sometimes lacked consistent invention. The anticipated lineup, should Yildiz not start, sees Michele Di Gregorio in goal, a back three of Pierre Kalulu, Gleison Bremer, and Lloyd Kelly, with a midfield quartet of Weston McKennie, Thuram, Manuel Locatelli, and Andrea Cambiaso supporting a front two of Francisco Conceicao and Jonathan David.
The outcome of this high-stakes match could have significant implications for the summer transfer strategies of both clubs, with Champions League revenue often dictating the market ambitions of Italian sides. For now, all focus is on the fitness of Kenan Yildiz, whose late-night or early-morning fitness test will be crucial in shaping Juventus's approach to one of their most important fixtures of the season.
