Juventus

Juventus forward Paulo Dybala has said he came close to leaving Juventus in summer 2019 and does not know how long he will stay in Turin with the Italian champions.

Dybala told Sid Lowe at the Guardian that the club considered letting him depart after receiving approaches from Premier League sides Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

"I was close to leaving," he said, "That was in the club's thinking, I knew. Until the last minute, we were waiting."

Dybala ended up staying in Turin and has gone on to enjoy a strong campaign under new manager Maurizio Sarri. He has flourished under the Italian and has 11 goals and four assists in all competitions:

1 - Paulo #Dybala is the only Serie A player to score at least a goal in 4 different 2019/20 competitions: Serie A, Champions League, Coppa Italia, Italian Supercup. Multitasking. #JuveUdinese pic.twitter.com/kkr6eWiUoM

— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) January 15, 2020

The Argentinian added that he is happy at Juve and that "Sarri's arrival has helped" but explained he is still unsure if his long-term future lies in Turin:

"I have two years left on my contract. That's not a short time but it's not a long one either. We'll see what plans Juventus have, if they think I might leave in the next market or if they want me to stay. That's a decision for the club to make. It’s hard to know because things change in a second."

Sarri made it clear that Dybala would be a big part of his plans when he was unveiled as Juventus manager in June, according to Italian football writer David Amoyal:

At his introductory press conference at Juve, Sarri mentioned how important Dybala and Douglas Costa would be to his project- the former been back to top form after being on trade block last summer, the latter has dominated the rare times he was healthy enough to play

— David Amoyal (@DavidAmoyal) January 22, 2020

His impressive performances for the club this season have prompted speculation that Juve could try to get Dybala to commit his long-term future to the club and sign a new deal.

Goal's Romeo Agresti reported that Dybala is set to sign until 2024 on an improved contract that will see his salary increase to approximately €10 million (£8.5 million) per year.

Dybala's fine form this season has proved Juventus made a good decision keeping hold of the 26-year-old, and they will be keen to secure his future to ward off any future approaches for their Argentina international.

Maurizio Sarri praised Cristiano Ronaldo's physical and mental condition after the forward scored yet another goal in Juventus' 3-1 win over AS Roma in the Coppa Italia on Wednesday. 

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid man has netted an incredible seven goals in four matches so far in 2020, and Sarri hopes the form can carry him to a sixth Ballon d'Or award, per Omnisport (h/t Goal):

"Ronaldo is in extraordinary physical and mental condition. He is continuing at an impressive pace and has extraordinary skills.

"He is very well physically. In terms of explosiveness, he is good. He takes great care of the details.

"Ronaldo is a champion. We want to help him win the sixth Ballon d'Or. It would make us all happy."

When congratulated for bringing the best out of the Portugal international, Sarri deflected the praise with a joke:

Sarri: "Congratulations on how I am using Ronaldo? You have to give congratulations to his mother who made a boy like this..."

🤣🤣🤣 MISTER

— JuveFC (@juvefcdotcom) January 22, 2020

Ronaldo opened the scoring in Wednesday's quarter-final clash, setting Juventus on the path to another win. Rodrigo Bentancur and Leonardo Bonucci added to the lead before half-time, and a Gianluigi Buffon own goal was the only response the Giallorossi could muster after the break.

It was Juventus' fifth straight win in all competitions. The Bianconeri have lost just twice all season long, qualifying for the next round of the UEFA Champions League with ease and taking a four-point lead over Inter Milan in the Serie A standings.

Per Sarri, the defending champions are getting used to winning, although the domestic competition is tougher this campaign: "Winning is becoming normal. I'm happy for the team. But we don't have to look at the numbers because it will be more difficult this year. We will certainly have to do better than previous years if we want to be competitive in the league."

The former Napoli and Chelsea boss is starting to figure out his strongest lineup, putting faith in Adrien Rabiot since the turn of the year. He was a standout playing next to Rodrigo Bentancur in midfield on Wednesday and appears to have nailed down a spot in the starting XI at this point.

The likes of Matthijs de Ligt and Paulo Dybala have also been excellent of late, but Ronaldo has stolen the show with his incredible form. The 34-year-old went through something of a dry spell earlier this season―he had a five-match run with a single goal in October and November―but has been amazing in recent weeks:

It's 13 goals in 10 games for Cristiano Ronaldo 💥

Juventus saw off Roma to reach the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia. https://t.co/E8JXwZOri2 pic.twitter.com/I6pGBhmCZF

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) January 22, 2020

The veteran has shown no signs of slowing down and continues to find success, regardless of his playing partners. Sarri has rotated Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain and even experimented with playing all three together, but nothing appears to faze Ronaldo, who can't seem to do anything wrong at the moment.

Cristiano Ronaldo continued his fine goalscoring form as Juventus cruised past Roma 3-1 in the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia on Wednesday.

The Portugal international fired the hosts in front on 26 minutes, while Rodrigo Bentancur squeezed home the hosts' second seven minutes before half-time.

Juventus added a third before the break when Leonardo Bonucci stooped to head Douglas Costa's cross past goalkeeper Pau Lopez.

Roma pulled one back at the start of the second half but it proved to be only a consolation for the visitors.

Cengiz Under curled a shot from outside the penalty area that hit the underside of the crossbar, bounced down and went in after hitting goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

Maurizio Sarri made several changes to his team, bringing in Buffon, Daniele Rugani, Bentancur and Douglas Costa. Roma were without a host of players due to injury and started with Nikola Kalinic in attack in place of the suspended Edin Dzeko:

Goal shared the two teams:

Cristiano Ronaldo is fit to start for Juventus 💪

Nikola Kalinic replaces the suspended Edin Dzeko for Roma 🔄

Here are the teams for tonight's Coppa Italia quarter-final 👇 pic.twitter.com/405kMumTm9

— GOAL (@goal) January 22, 2020

Roma started the game confidently and managed to push Juventus back, but they were undone when Ronaldo broke the deadlock.

Gonzalo Higuain played the ball out to Ronaldo on the left, and he sprinted towards goal before rifling a shot across goalkeeper Pau Lopez and into the far corner:

7 goals in 4 games in 2020.

Ronaldo goes up a level when the season starts to heat up 🔥 pic.twitter.com/fME41NzVAe

— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 22, 2020

Juventus improved after the goal and added two more before half-time. The second arrived from the lively Bentancur after good work from Costa. The Uruguayan was played into the penalty area by Costa, went past Gianluca Mancini and scuffed a finish that sneaked just inside the post.

Italian football writer Adam Digby praised Bentancur for his performance:

Bentancur deserves that goal, he’s been superb tonight, probably Juve’s best player in the first half. Looked like he enjoyed it too! #JuveRoma

— Adam Digby (@Adz77) January 22, 2020

Costa then forced Lopez into a save with a stinging shot after Bryan Cristante had gifted the Brazilian the ball, and Sarri's side looked a threat every time they attacked.

Bonucci added a third in stoppage time at the end of the first half. Costa floated a cross towards the back post for the centre-back to direct a firm header past Lopez.

Italian football writer Carlo Garganese was not too impressed with the defending on show:

Florenzi’s defending on Ronaldo’ goal again illustrates a big concern for Italy for Euro 2020. Florenzi is not a RB, Di Lorenzo is having a nightmare atm, De Sciglio is always injured. The left back options are not much better. The only full back I like is Spinazzola #JUVROM

— Carlo Garganese (@carlogarganese) January 22, 2020

The second half started in lively fashion with chances at both ends. Roma ought to have pulled one back but saw Lorenzo Pellegrini denied by Buffon, while Kalinic hit the post on the follow-up.

Juventus then raced down the other end of the pitch, with Ronaldo crossing for Higuain to direct a header on to the crossbar.

Roma came back at Juventus again and finally scored after a great effort from Under. The forward's curling shot beat Buffon but hit the crossbar, bounced down and went in off the goalkeeper.

The chances continued to flow in an entertaining second half. Buffon denied Alessandro Florenzi with a fine save, while Lopez had to be alert to block an effort from Higuain after a good cross from Juan Cuadrado. 

Ronaldo came close to a second on 83 minutes with a shot that flew inches wide of the post, and Buffon was needed again in stoppage time to deny Aleksandar Kolarov with a brilliant diving save.

  

What's Next?

Both teams return to Serie A action on Sunday. Juventus are at Napoli, while Roma face a derby clash with Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico.

Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt has said he sympathises with fans who are disappointed with his start at the club, saying he "would also be angry" if he was in their position. 

De Ligt, 20, joined the Bianconeri from boyhood club Ajax in July 2019 for €75 million—the fourth-highest fee paid for a defender—but his first half of the season in Turin wasn't as comfortable as many predicted.

The Netherlands international told Tuttosport (h/t Football Italia): "It's normal, it's all normal. If I had been in their shoes, I would also be angry at such mistakes. But as a player these are problems that shouldn't interest me. I just have to think about working to improve myself, understand if I'm making progress or not."

He gave away a decisive penalty for a handball when Juve drew 1-1 at Lecce on October 26, and he was lucky not to gift another one week prior, in a 2-1 win over Bologna, via Premier Sports (UK viewers only):

😬 Juve just about hang on to seal a 2-1 win against Bologna!

❌ The away team hit the bar AND forced a great save from Gigi Buffon at the death

🤔 Should Bologna also have had a penalty for this De Ligt hand ball, though? pic.twitter.com/tIf14A7twU

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) October 19, 2019

Manager Maurizio Sarri kept his new signing in his first XI despite the criticism, and the centre-back's improvement from November onwards has rewarded that faith thus far. Merih Demiral—who joined Juve from Sassuolo this past summer—has also earned support to start more regularly.

De Ligt captained Ajax to the semi-finals of last season's UEFA Champions League, as well as winning the Eredivisie title and the KNVB Cup. He made his senior international debut in 2017 and has already amassed 23 caps, garnering attention for his maturity in the past couple of campaigns.

The youngster was recently awarded the 2019 Kopa Trophy by Kylian Mbappe—winner of the 2018 accolade—recognising the Dutchman as the best under-21 in the world last year, via France Football:

Matthijs de Ligt is the 2019 Kopa Trophy winner ! #kopatrophy #ballondor pic.twitter.com/Ulc1dY9Ovs

— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) December 2, 2019

De Ligt was an unused substitute in back-to-back league wins over Sampdoria and Cagliari, but he's since regained his starting place following an injury to Demiral.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a decisive brace in Sunday's 2-1 victory over Parma to help lift Sarri's side four points clear at the top of Serie A. Sportswriter Carlo Garganese also singled out De Ligt for praise:

Performance wise, Juventus definitely took steps back after a promising start to the new year. The midfield was especially poor and it was concerning how often Parma found space in the area Pjanic occupies. On plus side, De Ligt impressed and Ronaldo was in beast mode #JUVPAR

— Carlo Garganese (@carlogarganese) January 19, 2020

Juventus have lost only once in 20 league outings this season, but Inter (17) and Lazio (18) have each conceded fewer than their 19 goals thus far.

De Ligt's contract in Turin doesn't expire until 2024, and the consensus at the time of his signing was that Juventus had captured arguably the most promising defender in Europe.

The player is again starting to display his maturity on the field, and his response to those critics off of it suggests he has the desire to recapture his former best.

Juventus manager Maurizio Sarri has said the team "must revolve" around star forward Cristiano Ronaldo, as the Portuguese solves so many problems for them. 

The Portugal international continued his brilliant run of form on Sunday with two goals in the team's 2-1 win over Parma in Serie A. It was a victory that saw Juve move four points clear of Inter Milan at the top of the table.

Speaking after the game, Sarri said Ronaldo can sometimes provide a conundrum for him, although the forward makes up for that with his goalscoring, per Sky Sport Italia (h/t Ben Spratt of Goal).

"We have a champion who sometimes creates a problem for you but solves 100 of them," he said. "The rest of the team has to revolve around him."

Ronaldo's two goals were decisive for the Bianconeri:

The 34-year-old is enjoying his best run of form of the campaign:

No. 7 has scored in seven straight league games ⚡ pic.twitter.com/dt65wdbzIT

— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 19, 2020

Sarri said he wasn't pleased with some aspects of his team's display and said he tried to send a message to the rest of the team with his substitutions.

"The mental intensity can be improved, even the management of certain moments of the matches," he noted. "I don't even like dribbling in our own half in the last few minutes. I would prefer to concede a goal on the counter-attack than in our own penalty area."

Ronaldo gives Juventus an edge. While the Portuguese struggled for form and fitness earlier in the campaign, he now looks back to a level approaching his best again.

Per Squawka Football, Ronaldo moved to a landmark number of goals on Sunday, only for Lionel Messi to edge ahead again later in the day when he scored for Barcelona:

Cristiano Ronaldo has now equalled Lionel Messi as the all-time top-scoring player in the history of Europe's top five leagues.

432 goals each. 🐐🐐 pic.twitter.com/b7tciXXBRE

— Squawka (@Squawka) January 19, 2020

While Sarri's team haven't been at their fluid best of late, he will be pleased to see Ronaldo cranking up his goalscoring figures with the business end of the season coming closer into view.

With a four-point lead established over Inter, the Bianconeri are now big favourites to win Serie A again. It's in the UEFA Champions League where all eyes will be on Ronaldo to perform, though, as Juventus chase their first success in the competition since 1996.

Ronaldo is the all-time top scorer in the Champions League and has won the tournament five times in his career. If he can carry this kind of form into the competition, starting with the last-16 showdown against Lyon next month, then Juventus will be difficult to beat.

Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri refused to reveal whether he will play the attacking trident of Cristiano Ronaldo, Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain again when the Bianconeri face Parma on Sunday, per Football Italia:

"We'll see how everyone is doing and then decide.

"It's not because we're in Serie A, as there are times in the Premier League when I wouldn't have used that system either. It depends on the balance of the team and the type of match you want to play.

"Only Higuain has a precise role, whereas the other two are instinctive and bring a lot of quality to every position they take. Dybala has done well alongside everyone, but clearly, when both Ronaldo and Dybala are on the field at the same time, we have to take counter-measures in other areas of the pitch."

The trio have been in great form of late, and Sarri has started experimenting with systems that allow him to field all three at the same time.

Ronaldo did not play in the 4-0 win over Udinese in the Coppa Italia, in which Dybala and Higuain showed their great chemistry:

The three haven't started together since the 3-1 loss to Lazio Roma in the Italian Super Cup, a match which highlighted the flaws of the trident. Dybala is not a natural winger, and when he plays as an attacking midfielder behind the other two, the Bianconeri struggle for width.

Playing the trident also leaves Juventus short of bench options, with Mario Mandzukic leaving the club during the winter break. Higuain has been used as a super-sub on plenty of occasions this season, with six substitute appearances in Serie A so far.

Regular rotations have been a part of Sarri's approach, per sports writer David Amoyal:

On top of getting excellent results on pitch, Sarri has significantly improved Bentancur and helped bring back Dybala to his standards after some uneven seasons

Maybe someday fan base will give him credit he deserves- he certainly has rotated players more than expected too

— David Amoyal (@DavidAmoyal) January 15, 2020

The former Chelsea and Napoli boss is still looking for his perfect setup at the Allianz Stadium, but so far the results have been stellar. Juventus currently lead the Serie A standings, with rivals Inter Milan two points back.

Inter have already added Ashley Young and have been linked with Christian Eriksen and Olivier Giroud, but their transfer activity doesn't scare Sarri:

"Fear is a big word; this is still just sport. I am not following what we are doing on the market, let alone what Inter are doing. We are aware that we can have our journey, and that's all that matters.

"The dumbest thing in football is trying to calculate when and where you might get points or drop them. You have to take it one game at a time, as six weeks is a lifetime in football."

Juventus' top January acquisition so far has been Dejan Kulusevski, who they bought from Atalanta for a deal worth up to €44 million. The Swede is currently on loan at Parma and likely to face his future team-mates on Sunday, but Sarri said he's not yet focused focused on him.

He also said he hasn't been briefed on a possible swap deal that would send Federico Bernardeschi to Barcelona for Ivan Rakitic.

UEFA reportedly changed the formation of its Team of the Year in order to include Cristiano Ronaldo after fan voting placed the Portuguese fourth in the forwards category. 

The governing body announced its elite XI on Wednesday, with Ronaldo included in a top-heavy 4-2-4 formation:

3️⃣ from the Netherlands 🇳🇱
5️⃣ from Liverpool 🔴
7️⃣ Newcomers 🆕
1️⃣1️⃣ stars 🌟

Your 2019 UEFA #TeamOfTheYear!

— UEFA (@UEFA) January 15, 2020

According to the Daily Mail's Mike Keegan, Ronaldo was shoehorned in by UEFA at the expense of Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante after he finished fourth in the voting behind Barcelona's Lionel Messi, Liverpool's Sadio Mane and Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski.

Per Keegan, a source said: "This is really not good. It is effectively vote rigging. Such is Ronaldo's popularity at a senior level within the organisation, alarm bells sounded when he did not make the cut and, as a result, the formation was changed. It makes you wonder what else they get up to."

A UEFA spokesman, however, had a different explanation for the formation choice:

"The formation for this year's team of the year was chosen to reflect the votes of the fans in parallel with the players' achievements in UEFA competitions. As a result, there are five UEFA Champions League winners and four UEFA Nations League finalists [including one winner]. The formation changes on a regular basis, and this year is no exception."

Ronaldo had a remarkable year with Portugal and was crucial to them winning the inaugural UEFA Nations League, netting a hat-trick in the semi-final against Switzerland:

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored more goals for Portugal in 2019 than any other year since his debut in 2003 📈

He’s 34 years old. pic.twitter.com/xB5X3RSlkC

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 17, 2019

His domestic form in 2019 was unspectacular by his own incredible standards, but he still won Serie A in his debut season with Juventus, netting 21 goals and winning the MVP award for the 2018-19.

Ronaldo has started 2020 in a rich vein of form.

He closed out 2019 by scoring in four consecutive league games, and he has scored four in two appearances since the new year:

9 - Cristiano #Ronaldo has scored 9 goals in Serie A since the start of December 2019, more than any other player in the top-5 European leagues in this period. Hegemony. #RomaJuve

— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) January 12, 2020

That is the kind of form Juventus were hoping he would produce when they signed him, and if it continues, the Old Lady will be well placed to win numerous trophies this season. 

Juventus manager Maurizio Sarri has said "it's really annoying" that Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has one more Ballon d'Or award to his name than Cristiano Ronaldo. 

The pair were tied on five titles each until Messi won the 2019 award back in December. Ronaldo finished third:

Here is the 2019 Ballon d'Or Top 3 ⤵️

1. Lionel Messi
2. @VirgilvDijk
3. @Cristiano

The ranking > https://t.co/cSurv8xUiL

#Ballondor pic.twitter.com/nl1fqJM1qP

— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) December 2, 2019

A league of his own. 🐐

Lionel Messi is the first player to win 6 Ballon d'Ors! pic.twitter.com/Hc6QOHtcuk

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 2, 2019

The Portuguese forward has started the new year in brilliant form, scoring four goals in two appearances, including his first hat-trick for Juve in Serie A:

First game of 2020. First hat-trick in Serie A.

Ronaldo starting the new year strong 💥 @brfootball pic.twitter.com/1whtYapc2W

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 6, 2020

Sarri, who took over as Old Lady boss in the summer, wants to help Ronaldo join Messi on six Ballons d'Or, per Sacha Pisani of Goal:

"I would like to help Cristiano win the sixth Ballon d'Or first. It's really annoying thinking that someone won more [Ballons d'Or] than him. I think about him, and I think helping him, it is my goal and the goal of the team. It is right for him."

Four of Ronaldo's five Ballon d'Or awards have been won in years in which he has led his former clubs, Manchester United and Real Madrid, to UEFA Champions League glory.

That will be his and Sarri's aim this term, as well as winning a ninth consecutive Serie A title for Juve.

Despite being one of Europe's biggest clubs, the Old Lady have a relatively poor record in the Champions League.

They have won the famous trophy twice, but their last triumph was in 1996.

Since then, Juve have lost five finals in Europe's most prestigious tournament to take their tally of runners-up places to a record seven.

One of the key reasons Ronaldo, 34, was signed for £100 million from Real in July 2018 was to help the Old Lady finally go all the way in the Champions League.

After topping Group D in the 2019-20 tournament, Juve have drawn Lyon in the last 16, an eminently winnable tie for a side of their quality:

The Champions League last-16 fixtures are in!

What do you think?https://t.co/MmYmzLksl1 #bbcfootball #UCLdraw #UCL pic.twitter.com/cK5afHllHg

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) December 16, 2019

If Ronaldo can continue his current goalscoring form and help Juve to win the Champions League, and edge out Inter Milan in a tight title race, he will be in the running for a sixth Ballon d'Or gong come the end of 2020. 

Juventus manager Maurizio Sarri has said it is normal that Paulo Dybala reacted angrily to being substituted in Sunday's 2-1 victory over Roma. 

The Argentinian played a key role in both Juve's first-half goals at the Stadio Olimpico, delivering the free-kick from which Merih Demiral headed home the first and winning the penalty that Cristiano Ronaldo converted in the 10th minute:

Paulo Dybala’s first half by numbers vs. Roma:

100% dribbles completed
83% final third passes
2 tackles won
1 penalty won
1 assist

Quality. 👏 pic.twitter.com/SGOT5uQbw0

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) January 12, 2020

However, soon after Diego Perotti pulled one back for Roma in the 68th minute, Dybala was replaced by Gonzalo Higuain.

He was clearly not happy to be substituted, but speaking ahead of Juve's Coppa Italia clash against Udinese, Sarri said he had no issues with Dybala's reaction, per Football Italia:

"I speak to Paulo every day; he's a very pleasant boy. He only asked me why I brought him off. It seems normal and not something bad. In every line of work, it happens that you argue. The sensation is that our attackers are doing well. Ronaldo is in an extraordinary moment. His record shows it."

Juve's victory at Roma saw them move two points clear of Inter Milan at the top of Serie A.

The Nerazzurri had opened the door for Juve to leapfrog them when they could only draw 1-1 at home to Atalanta:

#SerieATIM update after 19 matchdays. 📊⤵️#WeAreCalcio pic.twitter.com/mjxpI9C4uf

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) January 13, 2020

Antonio Conte's side pose a major threat to Juve's eight-year stranglehold on the Scudetto.

There could also potentially be a challenge from Lazio, who are only six points back from Juve with a game in hand following a run of 10 successive wins in Serie A:

🔵 Lazio are relentless!

🔥 Make that 10 straight wins for the Scudetto challengers

😬 Davide Ospina helped them over the line on this occasion pic.twitter.com/VfsbZuprw3

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) January 11, 2020

After Wednesday's Coppa clash with Udinese, Juve are back in Serie A action against Parma on Sunday before they travel to the Stadio San Paolo a week later to take on Napoli.

The Partenopei are enduring a tough season and sit 11th in the Italian top flight.

But they have been Juve's key challengers for the best part of the last four campaigns and will be a significant hurdle for the Old Lady to get over as they aim to win Serie A again in 2019-20. 

Juventus defender Merih Demiral will be sidelined for six to seven months after undergoing a successful surgery to repair his injured knee.

The Bianconeri reported the news on Tuesday. The Turkey international traveled to Austria for the surgery, which was described as "perfectly successful." The doctor who performed the surgery, Christian Fink, performed a similar procedure on Giorgio Chiellini's knee earlier this season.

Demiral injured his left knee during the 2-1 win over AS Roma on Sunday. He scored the opener―his first for the club―early in the match, but had to come off inside the first 20 minutes after landing awkwardly:

The 21-year-old was in the midst of a breakout spell for the Serie A champions. He joined from Sassuolo in the summer, but found himself behind Leonardo Bonucci and fellow summer arrival Matthijs de Ligt for the first few months of the season.

Demiral finally got his chance in the UEFA Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen in December. The youngster impressed greatly, and started every subsequent match up to Sunday's trip to the capital.

It's a cruel blow for the defender, who had earned the confidence of manager Maurizio Sarri and was quickly becoming a fan favourite. The timeline for his recovery also means he's likely to miss this summer's European Championship, where he was expected to partner with Caglar Soyuncu of Leicester City.

Juventus are waiting on the return of Chiellini, who suffered his injury in August and is expected to be fit again in March or April. Until then, Bonucci, De Ligt and Daniele Rugani are the only designated centre-backs in the squad.

Sarri talked up the latter pair in Tuesday's press conference, and also highlighted Emre Can's ability to help out if needed:

🎙 Sarri: "@mdeligt_04 is in great shape and the game against Roma confirmed that. @DanieleRugani is an important player for us and we consider him very highly."#JuveUdinese #CoppaItalia pic.twitter.com/ZJdC9nppJK

— JuventusFC 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@juventusfcen) January 14, 2020

🎙 Sarri: "@emrecan_ can play in a three-man defence, as he does so for @DFB_Team. In a four-man defence it takes a bit longer to adjust."#JuveUdinese #CoppaItalia

— JuventusFC 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@juventusfcen) January 14, 2020

Juventus could dive into the transfer market for added emergency depth, but have plenty of internal options if needed.

Cristian Romero, another youngster bought in the summer, could be recalled from his loan at Genoa. Highly rated prospect Paolo Gozzi made his debut last season and is currently playing for the academy teams.