The Juventus backline has been plunged into another emergency. IlBianconero write how, with Federico Gatti now sidelined, Luciano Spalletti faces a major headache as his defensive options continue to dwindle. The coach awaits the returns of Gleison Bremer and Daniele Rugani with growing urgency.
The latest blow came after Gatti’s injury in the Coppa Italia clash against Udinese. The defender underwent medical tests which revealed a medial meniscus tear in his right knee. Surgery is now required, ruling him out for several weeks. For Spalletti, this could not have come at a worse time — the season’s defining phase is approaching, and the team already looks thin in key areas, particularly at the back.
A Tactical Puzzle for Spalletti
The injury to Gatti forces new tactical considerations ahead of the weekend’s trip to Naples for a crucial Serie A showdown. One possible solution could see Teun Koopmeiners drop into defence again, having briefly returned to midfield in recent matches. Such an adjustment may need to continue for several games until the injured defenders are cleared to return.
With Bremer and Rugani both still unavailable, Spalletti must rely on makeshift solutions, potentially including younger squad members or tactical reshuffles, to navigate the club through a demanding run of fixtures.
Bremer Nearing a Return
Bremer’s situation offers a glimmer of hope. The Brazilian has been out since mid-October after suffering a medial meniscus injury in his left knee — the same knee once affected by a cruciate ligament rupture. He underwent arthroscopic surgery in Lyon, and the usual recovery timeline for such an operation is around two months.
Given the need for extra caution due to his past ligament injury, his return might be slightly delayed. A realistic target could be Juventus’s trip to Bologna on 14 December, though the club may choose to wait until the home game against Roma on 20 December to reintroduce him fully.
Rugani Still Some Weeks Away
Rugani, on the other hand, sustained a soleus muscle injury during training on 19 November. Scans confirmed a low-grade lesion, with an expected recovery time of around a month. Like Bremer, his earliest potential return could coincide with the clash against Roma, though a precautionary extension into January would not be surprising.
Recently renewed until 2028, Rugani has made five Serie A appearances and two in the Champions League this term. Though no longer an automatic starter, his reliability and experience make his absence particularly costly — especially now that Gatti has joined the injury list.
For Spalletti and Juventus, the next few weeks will test the team’s depth and adaptability. With three centre-backs sidelined, the manager must find balance in a defence running on its last reserves, hoping December brings not just results, but reinforcements too.
