Juventus continue their preparations for Sunday evening’s away fixture against Sassuolo at the Mapei Stadium — and Thursday’s training session has produced the most positive update yet on the player Spalletti most urgently needs available before the Europa League campaign begins.
Sarr: First Partial Group Session — Possible Convocation on Sunday
Pape Matar Sarr completed part of Thursday’s training session with the group for the very first time since his arrival at the Continassa — a meaningful step forward for a player who has been managing the physical carry-over from Tottenham since his deadline-day signing. The Senegalese midfielder has been working exclusively on individual programmes since his arrival, and Thursday’s partial integration represents the first concrete signal that his recovery is progressing on a timeline that could allow him to respond positively to a first convocation this weekend. He may yet be available at least for the bench at Sassuolo.
The target that all parties had identified — the Europa League opener against NEC Nijmegen on 17 September — remains the more realistic date for his competitive debut. But Sunday is no longer out of the question.
McKennie and Cambiaso: Still Working Apart, Europa League More Realistic
The less encouraging news concerns McKennie and Cambiaso — both of whom completed individual work separate from the group on Thursday, maintaining the same status they have held throughout the week. Their recovery from muscular fatigue and ankle sprain respectively is described as more difficult to manage in the short term, and the Mapei Stadium on Sunday now appears a very unlikely target for either. The more realistic return date is the NEC match on Thursday 17 September — giving both players a further week of individual rehabilitation before a competitive return.
The Full Injury Picture — Six Extended Absences Remain
With Sarr approaching the group but McKennie and Cambiaso still doubtful, the article provides the clearest available summary of the full injury landscape. Among those closest to returning: Sarr, McKennie, and Cambiaso. Among those facing considerably longer absences: Ekhator, Cabal, Boga, Yıldız, Thuram, and Locatelli.
