Juventus manage Yildiz injury as Vlahovic targets Milan return
Juventus are implementing a tailored training plan for midfielder Arda Yildiz as he manages a persistent knee issue ahead of Sunday's Serie A clash with Bologna. According to reports from Italy, the 19-year-old Turkish international is working separately from the main group to manage his workload after the inflammation in his left knee flared up following a period of intense activity for both club and country.
Yildiz's situation is described as the most delicate among several minor fitness concerns for manager Thiago Motta. French midfielder Adrien Rabiot and defender Dean Huijsen are also training individually, the latter with a protective bandage on his knee after a minor knock. The club insists there is no alarm regarding Yildiz and his availability for the weekend is not considered at risk, but a careful management plan is now in place.
The concern stems from an inflammation that Yildiz has carried for several months. He was a doubt for last weekend's victory at Atalanta but played the full match, and the subsequent reaction has prompted the medical staff to prescribe a period of reduced training intensity and rest. His importance to the Juventus attack makes his fitness a priority in the final stretch of the season.
Meanwhile, striker Dusan Vlahovic continues his rehabilitation from a low-grade soleus injury sustained during warm-up ahead of the match against Genoa earlier this month. The Serbian forward has not completed a full match in nearly five months, a fact that necessitates extreme caution from the club's medical team. Vlahovic was reportedly at the Continassa training ground on the squad's day off this week, underscoring his desire to accelerate his return.
The club's internal timeline suggests a return against Hellas Verona on May 4th is the most realistic target. However, according to the same reports, Vlahovic himself is pushing to be available for the crucial encounter with AC Milan at San Siro on April 26th. His potential involvement in that match would provide a significant boost to Juventus's attacking options as they seek to solidify their position in the top four.
The fitness updates come amid a period where Juventus's forwards have struggled for goals, placing added importance on the return of their top scorer. Vlahovic has 16 Serie A goals this season, while Yildiz has emerged as a key creative force since breaking into the first team. Their respective conditions will be pivotal as Juventus navigates the final weeks of the campaign, with Champions League qualification still to be secured.
