Juventus have settled the question of the UEFA squad list for the Europa League, and the answer closes off one idea that had been floating around the Continassa. Speaking at the shareholders’ meeting, CEO Giovanni Carnevali confirmed that the regulations do not allow Edon Zhegrova to be registered in place of Manuel Locatelli.
The Home-Grown Rule
Carnevali’s explanation was brief and decisive. “Locatelli is a player trained in Italy and can only be replaced by a player trained in Italy. So it is Ekhator and not Zhegrova.”
The reasoning rests on the UEFA home-grown categories on the squad list. Locatelli counts as a locally trained player, and under the replacement provision a long-term injury can only be covered by another player in the same category. Ekhator qualifies. Zhegrova does not.
Why Neither Player Was on the List
The article adds context on how the situation arose. Locatelli will remain out until March because of his meniscus injury. Neither Zhegrova nor Ekhator was included in the UEFA list at the start of the season. Zhegrova’s omission fits what was reported earlier in the summer, when he was described as ineligible for the Europa League. Ekhator was injured when the lists were compiled. The Genoa-born forward, who is the 2006-born striker bought from Genoa, returned to the match-day squad in the league win over Napoli on Sunday night.
The List Has Been Changed
Juventus have therefore used the provision that allows changes to the list in cases of serious injury, adding the striker signed in the summer from Genoa to the group of players the manager can field. This follows Tuttosport’s report earlier today on the Article 31.14 route, under which a single outfield player can be temporarily replaced during the league phase, up to and including matchday six, if the injury or illness lasts at least 60 days.
For Spalletti, it means another attacking option for AZ Alkmaar on Thursday and the remaining league-phase matches, though Ekhator has yet to make an official appearance this season. It also means Zhegrova, who has been rediscovered as a starter in recent weeks and whose pre-match plan with Boga helped produce the Napoli goals, remains unavailable for European fixtures.
