Visiting Villarreal Headquarters, Juventus Hit By Injury Storm

JAKARTA - Juventus will visit Villarreal headquarters to play the first leg of the 2021/2022 Champions League round of 16 first leg. However, ahead of the match at the Estadio de la Ceramica on Wednesday, February 23 at 03.00 WIB, Massimiliano Allegri as the Juventus coach has not even been able to field his best squad.

The situation was experienced by Allegri because the Old Lady was hit by a storm of injuries. Most recently, Paulo Dybala also had to enter the treatment room due to a muscle problem.

Quoted from the club's official website, Tuesday, Dybala's injury occurred when he helped the team face Torino in the Della Mole derby on Saturday, 19 February. In the match against Il Toro, Dybala appeared until the 53rd minute, but after that he was replaced by Weston McKennie.

Before Dybala was replaced by McKennie, Allegri himself had confirmed that in that match Leonardo Bonucci, Federico Bernardeschi, and Daniele Rugani also could not appear because they were not in the best condition.

The three names above plus Dybala add to the long list of players who must be sidelined, following several other important Juventus players who have also been absent for a long time. Because previously there was Giorgio Chiellini and Federico Chiesa who was injured first.

With this situation, Allegri must utilize the remaining ammunition. But in the midst of a storm of injuries, Juve centre-back Matthijs de Ligt chose to show a calm attitude.

"We are not worried about injuries. This is a strong team. Those who rarely play do good things when they are on the pitch," De Ligt was quoted as saying by the club's official website.

The presence of a prime De Ligt is predicted to be Allegri's mainstay to be paired with Danilo da Silva at the Estadio de la Ceramica later. Then Mattia de Sciglio will be placed in the right-back area and Alex Sandro on the left.

Versatile player, Juan Cuadrado plotted by the coach to replace Dybala. He will be placed in attack with Alvaro Morata and Dusan Vlahovic. For the midfield, Allegri is solid with complete strength.

Ahead of the visit to Villarreal headquarters, Juventus brought qualified capital. Because the Old Lady has an unbeaten record in the last seven matches in various competitions with a score of four wins and three draws.