Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti is considering two options to replace Khephren Thuram for the upcoming match against Fiorentina. Thuram has been dealing with a muscle strain, affecting his performance and leading to his benching in the last game.
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Spalletti studying two solutions to replace Thuram against Fiorentina
Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti may have to do without Khephren Thuram for the second match in a row.
The Frenchman has been a regular starter alongside his captain, Manuel Locatelli, since last summer. However, he has been struggling with a muscle strain since April.
While this issue hasnât ruled the midfielder out of action, it has hampered his performances on the pitch. Therefore, Spalletti decided to relegate the 24-year-old to the bench in last Saturdayâs contest against Lecce.
Luckily for Juventus, Thuramâs services werenât required at the Via del Mare, as the team went on to register a narrow but important win thanks to Dusan Vlahovicâs extremely early opener.
Nevertheless, the Old Lady is about to face a sterner test this weekend, as old rivals Fiorentina arrive in town.
The Viola have already secured their place in the top flight for next season after a mid-season revival, but theyâll be keen to spoil Juveâs Champions League hopes, knowing that any slip can be deadly in the tight race.
But while Juventus would love to have Thuram at his best, the midfielder continues to train separately, casting doubt over his availability.
Khephren Thuram is struggling with a muscle strain that has affected his performance.
Luciano Spalletti is studying two potential solutions to replace Thuram for the match against Fiorentina.
Thuram's muscle strain has led to him being benched in the last match against Lecce.
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According to Tuttosport, Spalletti is already reflecting on two different options should the Frenchman fail to recover in time.
The first solution would be to keep the lineup intact from last weekend. In other words, Teun Koopmeiners would link up with Locatelli in the double pivot.
However, the Juventus manager wasnât entirely convinced by the Dutchman, who irritated him with his passive plays.
Therefore, Spalletti could decide to drop the former Atalanta star and move Weston McKennie from his current role as right wing-back to the middle of the park.
In this case, Emil Holm would break into the starting lineup, while the rest of the team remains unchanged, with Dusan Vlahovic leading the lineup, supported by Kenan Yildiz and Chico Conceicao.
First option (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio: Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly; McKennie, Locatelli, Koopmeiners, Cambiaso; Conceicao, Yildiz; Vlahovic.
Second option (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio: Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly; Holm, Locatelli, McKennie, Cambiaso; Conceicao, Yildiz; Vlahovic.