Locatelli faces three to six months out with knee injury

Juventus will be without captain Manuel Locatelli for an estimated three to six months. The midfielder injured his knee last Sunday in the 1-1 draw against AC Milan and will undergo surgery in Lyon on Tuesday to repair a torn lateral meniscus. The length of his absence will depend on the surgical procedure performed.

Luciano Spalletti's start to the season is being complicated by a wave of injuries to key players. Locatelli is a regular starter in the heart of the Bianconeri midfield and a mainstay for the Italian national team, making his absence a significant setback for the coach's plans.

• Manuel Locatelli has torn the lateral meniscus in his knee.
• He will have surgery in Lyon on Tuesday and is expected to be out for three to six months.
• The recovery time depends on whether doctors remove or suture the meniscus.
• He joins Kenan Yildiz and Khéphren Thuram on Juventus' injury list.
• Spalletti's side have taken 7 points from a possible 9 in Serie A.

Locatelli set for meniscus surgery in Lyon

The Juventus captain tore the lateral meniscus in his knee during the match against Milan. The operation is scheduled for Tuesday in Lyon, and the recovery timeline will be shaped by the type of surgery specialists perform. Removing the meniscus usually shortens the layoff, while a suture requires a longer rehabilitation process.

Locatelli had established himself as one of the key figures in the Bianconeri midfield. His role as captain and his regular presence in Italy's national team make his absence particularly costly for Spalletti, who will need to reshape his midfield in the coming weeks.

Injury crisis deepens at Juventus under Spalletti

Locatelli's setback is not an isolated case in Turin. Kenan Yildiz could be out for around three months after suffering a fifth metatarsal injury, while Khéphren Thuram underwent surgery on his right knee on Thursday and will not return until January. The French midfielder had not yet made his debut this season.

The growing list of injuries to key players is forcing Spalletti to lean on squad depth during a demanding schedule. The team has opened its Serie A campaign with 7 points from a possible 9 and faces a busy autumn in which every absence could impact the standings.

Juventus out of the Champions League and focused on the Europa League

Juventus will not play in the Champions League this season, and their European campaign begins on 17 September with a Europa League match against NEC Nijmegen. The Italian side heads into that opener with a packed treatment room and several key pieces unavailable.

The Europa League stands as a major objective for a club looking to regain international prominence. However, the absences of Locatelli, Yildiz and Thuram limit Spalletti's rotation options in a competition that demands consistency and depth.

What Juventus lose without Locatelli in midfield

Locatelli brings balance, composure on the ball and experience to the engine room. His ability to cover space and start attacks cleanly has made him structurally important for Juventus. Replacing him will not be easy: Spalletti must find an alternative who maintains tactical order without sacrificing build-up play.

His leadership as captain also goes beyond the pitch. In a dressing room hit hard by injuries, Locatelli's presence will be missed on an emotional level over the coming months.

Juventus' immediate schedule without their captain

Juventus will continue their Serie A campaign before making their European debut. Spalletti will have to manage workloads and adjust the starting eleven amid several significant absences. The match against NEC Nijmegen on 17 September marks the start of a group stage in which every point will be valuable.

The coaching staff are counting on shortening recovery timelines and on a squad that must step up. Meanwhile, Bianconeri fans await news from the operating room in Lyon and the definitive extent of their captain's injury.

Frequently asked questions about Locatelli's injury