Champions League:Three Juventus stars doubtful for Atletico clash
Juventus are set to be without three key players for Tuesday’s home game against Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, after the Serie A giants confirmed injuries suffered by Matthijs de Ligt, Douglas Costa and Federico Bernardeschi.
All three had problems during Saturday’s 3-1 win away to Atalanta in the Italian top flight, according to Football Italia. The same source detailed how centre-back De Ligt dislocated his shoulder, while a club statement revealed tests showed substitute Douglas Costa suffered a “new lesion on his right thigh.”
Matthijs de Ligt for Juventus vs. Atalanta:
• Most aerial duels won (4)
• Most tackles made (4)
• Most interceptions (3)Big display. 💪 pic.twitter.com/FXcldox4ad
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 23, 2019
While De Ligt was able to finish the match in Bergamo, his loss may be the most keenly felt against an Atletico attack led by Joao Felix and ex-Juve loanee Alvaro Morata. De Ligt, 20, had struggled after arriving from Ajax during the summer in a deal worth an initial £67.5 million.
However, he has steadily been showing signs of a growing comfort level with life in Turin. He recently refuted a claim from former Netherlands international Patrick Kluivert that the young defender regretted joining Juve.
De Ligt told VoetbalPrimeur (h/t MailOnline’s Jack Bezants): “I don’t regret the fact that I have moved to Juventus. They are saying and writing a lot of stuff. If a person like Kluivert says something like that, it might seem true, but it really is just his assumption.”
De Ligt has been helping Leonardo Bonucci shore up a defence weakened by the ongoing absence of Giorgio Chiellini, who continues to recover from a torn ACL.
The player who is supposed to be back at his peak under Maurizio Sarri is out injured again. For 15 days.
Douglas Costa and I'm gutted.
— Kaustubh Pandey (@Kaus_Pandey17) November 24, 2019
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Meanwhile, Costa’s fellow winger Bernardeschi is a doubt for the visit of Atleti because of a bruised chest.
Sarri’s men have already qualified from Group D of the Champions League, but top spot and a potentially softer draw in the last 16 are not yet settled. It means there is still plenty to play for against an experienced and capable Atleti side on Tuesday.