Juventus enter October with Luciano Spalletti trying to restore momentum after a month in which the club’s medical department has been as busy as the dressing room. Since 31 August, five first-team players have required operations, while a sixth procedure involved Adin Licina, currently on loan at Cremonese.
A difficult month at Continassa
The sequence has left Juventus dealing with injuries to a foot, three knees and a hand. The most serious absences concern Manuel Locatelli, Khephren Thuram and goalkeeper Kamil Grabara, while Kenan Yildiz continues his recovery programme in Turin.
- Kenan Yildiz was the first affected, undergoing surgery to repair a fracture at the base of the fifth metatarsal in his left foot after the match against Frosinone. The Turkey international completed the opening stage of rehabilitation in Germany and is now continuing physiotherapy in Turin. His planned return is expected in early December.
- Four days later, Khephren Thuram underwent a chondroplasty operation on his right knee to treat patellar cartilage damage. His recovery remains lengthy, with his return to competitive football projected for the beginning of 2027. Posting an update on Instagram, the French midfielder wrote: “We walk by faith, not by sight,” quoting the Second Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.
- The heaviest setback arrived on 8 September, when captain Manuel Locatelli had surgery on the lateral meniscus of his right knee. Juventus expect the midfielder to be out for between six and seven months.
- Kamil Grabara suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in his right knee during a routine training exercise, adding another major rehabilitation case to the squad’s list.
- Randal Kolo Muani later underwent osteosynthesis surgery on the fifth finger of his right hand after suffering the injury against Atalanta.
- Licina sustained a fracture to his left wrist during a friendly between Juventus and Cremonese at Continassa. The player, on loan with Cremonese until the end of the season, was immediately taken to J|Medical for reduction surgery.
Spalletti’s October task
The concentration of operations has altered Juventus’ season at a point when the coach needs continuity from his group. Locatelli’s absence removes the captain from the centre of the campaign for much of the season, while Thuram’s projected timetable makes his recovery a longer-term issue rather than an immediate selection concern.
For Spalletti, October now offers an opportunity to shift the narrative back towards results. Historically, it has been the most productive month for his teams. Juventus will hope that record can help offset a period in which the club have collected far too many medical reports and not enough available players.
