Thiago Motta’s Juventus continues to grapple with an ongoing injury crisis as they prepare for their crucial away match against Lecce on Sunday. The Italian-Brazilian coach had hoped for positive news from the infirmary at Continassa, but the outlook remains grim for several key players.
### Vlahovic’s Uncertain Status
Dusan Vlahovic, arguably the most important player in the Bianconeri squad, especially given the long-term absence of his natural replacement Arkadiusz Milik, is still a doubt for the upcoming match. The Serbian striker returned from international duty with a muscle problem that has already sidelined him for the games against Milan and Aston Villa in the cup. Despite the absence of lesions, Vlahovic continues to work separately from the group, undergoing personalized training. This situation leaves little hope for his availability against Lecce.
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### Douglas Luiz’s Extended Absence
The situation with Douglas Luiz is equally concerning. Initially, tests had ruled out any lesions, and the Brazilian midfielder, who had stopped due to a thigh problem after the match against Lazio on October 19th, was included in the squad for the game against Lille on November 5th. However, he didn’t feel ready to play in that match, which had even prompted Thiago Motta to admit he had tried to rush the player’s return. Today, Luiz is still training separately, and his absence has now exceeded 40 days.
### McKennie’s Doubtful Participation
American midfielder Weston McKennie became unavailable after the 0-0 draw against Milan in the league. While there are no lesions, he is suffering from muscle fatigue that caused him to miss the Champions League match against Aston Villa and is preventing him from training with the group. His chances of being called up for the Lecce match are also more negative than positive.