Juventus manage Yildiz knee issue ahead of Bologna clash
Juventus are managing a persistent knee issue with key attacker Kenan Yildiz, with the 19-year-old undergoing a personalised training programme this week in an effort to be fit for Sunday's crucial Serie A match against Bologna. According to reports from Italy, Yildiz is dealing with a recurrent patellar tendinopathy in his left knee, an inflammatory condition the club's medical staff is carefully monitoring. Manager Luciano Spalletti opted to bring the player off the bench in the recent match against Atalanta and has since scheduled separate gym work for him, with a return to full team training anticipated on Friday.
Yildiz has demonstrated considerable resilience, having started and played 933 minutes across Juventus's last 11 matches in Serie A and the Champions League. His importance to Spalletti's side is underscored by the statistic that, since November, he has been involved in 25% of the team's goals, contributing eight goals and six assists. Only Weston McKennie has a higher involvement rate. Spalletti has selected Yildiz from the start in 29 of his 33 matches in charge, a clear indication of his central role in the team's tactical project.
The decision to manage his workload is described as a precautionary measure during a delicate phase of the season as Juventus plan for the future. The immediate focus is on ensuring his availability for the final stretch of the campaign. The club hopes the tailored training regimen will allow Yildiz to start against Bologna at the Allianz Stadium, a match vital for Juventus's league ambitions.
In other team news, goalkeeper Mattia Perin continues to work separately due to a calf issue, making his recovery for the Bologna game unlikely. Michele Di Gregorio is expected to start again in goal, with his recent performances reportedly influencing the pecking order. Forwards Dusan Vlahovic and Vasilije Adzic are progressing from a low-grade soleus lesion and an ankle sprain respectively, with more precise return timelines expected next week.
The season is over for defender Juan Cabal, who sustained an adductor injury that will sideline him for at least a month. Despite this, he is expected to join the Colombia squad for the upcoming World Cup, a move seen as a potential shop window as his time at Juventus appears likely to conclude this summer. The club's handling of Yildiz's condition reflects a balanced approach between short-term competitive needs and the long-term management of a prized young asset.
