With the Europa League’s second matchday not until 15 October — away at Celta Vigo — Luciano Spalletti has had the luxury of setting European thoughts aside for a month. From Thursday night onwards, his attention has turned entirely to Sunday’s home fixture against Atalanta at the Allianz Stadium, kicking off at 18:00. Coming off the Milan draw and the Sassuolo defeat from the previous weekend, Juventus will have minimal preparation time for one of the season’s most demanding opponents — the club of their former manager Maurizio Sarri and their former sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli.
Cambiaso: A Fitness Test Today, Prudence Yesterday, Hope for Sunday
The focus of Spalletti’s injury assessment for the Atalanta match is Andrea Cambiaso — sidelined since the ankle sprain sustained in the second Serie A fixture against Parma. The Italian full-back completed a fitness test on Thursday morning, but caution prevailed and he was ultimately not included in the Europa League squad for the NEC match. A further test in the next 48 hours will determine whether he can play any part against Atalanta.
The hope at the Continassa is realistic rather than optimistic: a Cambiaso available for at least a part-time contribution — perhaps the second half, perhaps as a substitute in the closing stages — would give Spalletti an option on the left that Zhegrova cannot replicate in terms of defensive solidity and tactical intelligence. Before the season’s long international break arrives, having him even partially available would be significant.
The Returning Players — Vicario, Bremer, Kelly, and Zhegrova Back In
The rotation applied against NEC means Sunday’s Atalanta match sees several important players returning after Thursday’s European night. Guglielmo Vicario returns in goal — replaced by Grabara for the NEC fixture, during which the Polish international produced a composed and composed performance capped by the assist for González’s opening goal. Gleison Bremer returns to the centre of defence after being rested from the European squad. Lloyd Kelly is available again having served his European suspension — the carryover ban from last season’s Champions League red card against Galatasaray. And Edon Zhegrova — who scored twice against Sassuolo from the bench but remains outside both UEFA lists — is eligible to return for domestic competition and will be available to Spalletti.
The Long-Term Absentees — Still a Formidable List
The good news of Thursday’s five-goal celebration should not obscure the reality that the injury list for Sunday’s Atalanta match remains dauntingly long. Locatelli — at least five months out following knee surgery. Thuram — until 2027 following his own knee operation. Yıldız — approximately three months following foot surgery. Boga — approximately one month for the semimembranosus lesion. Ekhator — approximately six weeks for his own semitendinosus tear. Cabal — several weeks for his left thigh muscle injury.
Six extended absentees, a seventh in Cambiaso being assessed day by day, and a manager who has built six points from the last two competitive matches whilst navigating all of it. The international break that follows Sunday’s Atalanta fixture cannot come quickly enough.
