After a memorable win over AC Milan in the weekend, the Juventus fans have more good news to cheer them up, as reports from Italy claim that left fullback Patrice Evra has recovered from an ankle sprain and is available for the crunch six-pointer against Manchester City on Wednesday.
The Frenchman had hobbled off the pitch with a sprained ankle in the match against Milan on Saturday night. However, he was seen training with the first team on Monday afternoon according to Football Italia.
The good news was later confirmed by coach Massimiliano Allegri in the pre-match press conference, he said that Evra had recovered sufficiently from the ankle sprain, and would be available for the match against City.
Defender Martin Caceres also trained with the first team on Monday, but Allegri confirmed that the Uruguayan will not feature in the match. Joining Caceres on Juve’s injury list is holding midfielder Sami Khedira, who has also been ruled out.
The German midfielder is set to be replaced by Stefano Sturaro in the middle of the park, while Alvaro Morata is also set to join the Bianconeri . attack, joining Argentinian Paulo Dybala. This would mean that Allegri could implement the diamond formation, which will close all the gaps in the middle of the park. However, this may leave Juve a bit stretched on the flanks.
Manchester City to miss six key players
The biggest worry for Manuel Pellegrini for this match is the safety of Sergio Aguero, who has just made a comeback from a hamstring injury. Second choice striker Wilfried Bony has been ruled out due to his own hamstring problems, while 19-year-old Kelechi Iheanacho is not registered for the club’s Champions League roster.
This reccurence of Aguero’s injury has put City boss Pellegrini in a rather sticky situation and he may have to play wing man Raheen Sterling up front.
“We have a difficult situation,” Pellegrini was quoted as saying by BBC. “It’s a test to win in a difficult stadium against a strong team.”