Serious lineup issues for Allegri and Inzaghi ahead of the November 26th challenge in Turin: 7 Bianconeri are currently injured, while 3 are sidelined for the Nerazzurri.
The list with injured players are filling up both for the Bianconeri and the Nerazzurri ahead of their crucial game on Sunday. Unfortunately, misfortune strike without regard for the colors, and with an Italian derby scheduled in 6 days, Allegri and Inzaghi must deal with new absences in addition to those already recorded in recent weeks.
Alessandro Bastoni is the latest victim of injuries, further lengthening an already substantial list that, in the past 48 hours, also added Locatelli and Miretti, all affected by the so-called “FIFA virus” during the national team retreat (Under 21 in the case of the latter).
In total, there are currently 10 unavailable players on both sides combined: 7 for the ‘Old Lady‘ (excluding the suspended Pogba and Fagioli) and 3 for the Nerazzurri. Some have the possibility of a last-minute recovery for the most important game of the season so farat the Allianz Stadium. Others are already certain to miss out.”
PLAYERS STUCK WITH PROBLEMS
The one with the most problems, at least from a purely quantitative and numerical perspective, is Max Allegri, who currently finds himself with just 3 available and eligible midfielders, the only players at the disposal of the Tuscan coach are McKennie, Rabiot (returning after serving a suspension against Cagliari), and Nicolussi Caviglia, but the Bianconeri medical staff is hopeful for the possible returns of Locatelli and Miretti.
Inzaghi, on the other hand, has to deal with 3 but very important absences, 2 of which are particularly significant and, barring miracles, practically guaranteed to miss the derby. In addition to Pavard‘s confirmed absence, the Nerazzurri coach will most likely have to do without Cuadrado and Bastoni, whose recoveries appear very challenging as of today.
IN DOUBT
Allegri is hoping to recover 5 players ahead of the game. This applies to Miretti, who was forced to leave the Under 21 team due to lower back pain that will be reevaluated with diagnostic tests from Monday onwards. The same goes for Huijsen and for Weah, awaiting medical clearance after the thigh problems from three weeks ago.
Locatelli will likely remain in doubt until the last moment because 10 days may not be sufficient to completely resolve the slight fracture to the rib suffered in the match against Cagliari. Among the possible returns for the Bianconeri, there is also the potential comeback of Alex Sandro, who will return to group training next week.
As for Inzaghi, there are faint hopes for the recoveries of Cuadrado and Bastoni: the Colombian is still dealing with Achilles tendon injury that has been bothering him since mid-September, while the Italian defender will undergo further diagnostic tests early next week to understand the extent of his injury and the subsequent recovery times, but the feeling is that Bastoni has better chances of making it against Napoli than on Sunday against Juve.
THEY WON’T MAKE IT
Certainly, Allegri will miss the defensive leader, Danilo, who is stuck with the national team and still out for at least two weeks. Like the Brazilian, another confirmed absence is that of De Sciglio, who has a long-term problem after tearing his ligament on May 3 (expected return in about a month).
Inzaghi, on the other hand, already knows that he will have to do without Pavard, who still has about a month and a half before returning to the fields and to put behind him the injury suffered at the beginning of the month.