Massimiliano Allegri, the manager of Juventus, confirmed that both Federico Chiesa and Dusan Vlahovic will miss the upcoming Turin derby on Saturday due to injuries. The news added to the already eventful day in Turin as it was revealed that Paul Pogba had tested positive for testosterone, following a counter-analysis on a second sample. Allegri, addressing the media in a pre-match press conference, expressed his surprise at the Pogba situation, claiming that he was unaware of the outcome of Pogba’s B sample.
Absences in Juventus’ Lineup
Unfortunately for Juventus fans, the absence of Vlahovic and Chiesa was confirmed by Allegri. He mentioned, “They are not available, but the team feels well.” Allegri sought to reassure fans by highlighting the available options, including Moise Kean and Arkadiusz Milik, as well as Adrien Rabiot’s goal-scoring capabilities. He also hinted at the potential inclusion of young talents Fagioli and Miretti in the starting lineup, with particular emphasis on Fabio.
Challenges and Strategy for the Derby
As Juventus prepares to face their city rivals, Torino, Allegri acknowledged the challenge that awaits, stating, “We’ll face an angry Torino; it’s never easy against them.” He praised Torino’s physical strength under manager Ivan Juric. Despite the injuries, Allegri stated that he wouldn’t change the team’s system but hinted at possible adjustments during the game based on the characteristics of the available players.
Dusan Vlahovic has been dealing with low back pain, leading him to train separately during the week and miss the previous match against Atalanta. On the other hand, Federico Chiesa had to cut short a training session due to a muscle problem. Allegri clarified that Chiesa’s MRI scan showed no lesions but decided to leave him out to ensure his fitness for future matches. As for Chiesa’s inclusion in Luciano Spalletti’s squad for the October break, Allegri expressed confidence that the winger’s issue is not serious but emphasized the importance of having fit players.
Allegri also addressed criticisms of his team’s performance following a 0-0 draw against Atalanta in the previous week, stating that they were not satisfied with a point. He acknowledged that Juventus needed to be more aggressive but emphasized the determination to secure a Champions League spot for the next season and urged fans to support the team both physically and mentally in the upcoming derby.
