Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti is carefully managing the fitness of several key players, including Kenan Yildiz, as the club enters the final stretch of the Serie A season. According to reports from Tuttosport, the internal communication at the club's training centre has emphasised a rational approach to risk and player workload, with the immediate focus on Sunday's match against Verona. The club is balancing the desire to secure a Champions League spot with the need to avoid last-minute injuries.
A central figure in this delicate phase is young forward Kenan Yildiz. The Turkish international, described as deeply in love with the club, has been managing a left knee issue in recent weeks. Yildiz missed the start against Milan and was limited to a partial training session recently, but there is hope the rest has been beneficial and he could start against Verona. His commitment is noted both on the pitch and off it, where he regularly stops for fans.
The management strategy extends to two other important attackers. Khéphren Thuram has been playing through an bone edema for two months and felt the effects of his 71 minutes against Milan, requiring individual work afterwards. Dusan Vlahovic, meanwhile, is building up his minutes after a late cameo in the same match. Spalletti explicitly stated that Vlahovic can help in these final games, but the approach must be logical, incrementally increasing his involvement.
For Thuram and Yildiz, there is an additional consideration of the upcoming World Cup, though both players understand that securing Champions League football with Juventus remains the absolute priority. The club has four matches remaining to achieve that goal, and Spalletti has dismissed a 'now or never' mentality, insisting on a step-by-step process. The immediate challenge is Verona, after which the condition of Thuram will be closely monitored, with Yildiz hoping his knee agreement allows him to play a starring role in the final push.
