Juventus train with focus on Atalanta amid injury and suspension concerns
The Juventus squad returned to training at the JTC on Tuesday, with manager Luciano Spalletti putting his players through their paces ahead of a crucial Serie A clash against Atalanta this Saturday. The session, captured in videos on the club's social media, showed a positive atmosphere despite emerging concerns over the fitness of goalkeeper Mattia Perin and, more significantly, striker Dusan Vlahovic.
The bulk of the work involved sharpening attacking play, with several players taking part in a finishing drill. Fabio Miretti opened the exercise with a powerful left-footed strike into the net, followed by successful attempts from new signings Lois Openda and Emil Holm. Winger Edon Zhegrova also found the back of the net with a curled effort. According to reports from the session, the focus then shifted to a small-sided match featuring players who saw little or no action in the recent 1-0 victory over Genoa.
Among those, Jeremie Boga stood out by scoring a fine right-footed goal that curled into the corner, leaving third-choice goalkeeper Carlo Pinsoglio with no chance. The training session had a notable spectator in midfielder Weston McKennie. The US international, who scored the winner against Genoa, was watching from the sidelines as he will miss the Atalanta fixture due to a one-match suspension for accumulated yellow cards.
The absence of McKennie, a consistent presence in the Juventus midfield this season, presents a selection puzzle for Spalletti. His energy and box-to-box runs will be missed against a dynamic Atalanta side. The potential absence of Vlahovic, should his physical issue prove serious, would be a far more significant blow to Juventus's ambitions in the final stretch of the season.
Currently in a tight battle for a top-four finish and Champions League qualification, every point is vital for Juventus. The positive mood in training reflects a squad aware of the high stakes, aiming to build momentum. The match against Atalanta represents one of their toughest remaining fixtures, making the preparation this week all the more critical as they enter the season's decisive phase.
