Jonathan David will miss Juventus’ crucial Champions League play-off first leg against Galatasaray after suffering a physical setback on the eve of the match. The Canadian forward has not been included in the squad travelling to Istanbul, dealing Luciano Spalletti a significant blow in attack.
Juventus departed for Turkey on the afternoon of Monday 16 February ahead of tomorrow’s first leg in Istanbul, but David was not on the plane. The striker, who had become the first-choice centre-forward in the absence of the injured Dusan Vlahovic, has been forced to stay in Turin due to a muscle problem.
Nature of David’s Injury
David has been sidelined by an injury to his groin. The former Lille forward reported discomfort in that area and was unable to make himself available for selection for the Champions League tie.
The issue emerged in the build-up to the match, prompting the medical staff and technical team to opt for caution. Given the importance of the upcoming fixtures, Juventus are unwilling to risk aggravating the problem.
How Long Could He Be Out?
For now, there is no clear timeframe for David’s return. It remains uncertain whether his absence will be limited to the Galatasaray match or if he will also be ruled out of the next fixtures.
Spalletti therefore faces the real possibility of being without his current starting striker not only for the European play-off, but also for the league clash against Como on Saturday. Further assessments over the coming days will determine whether David can rejoin the squad quickly or if Juventus will need to adapt their attacking plans for a longer stretch.
