Juventus Faces Crisis as Locatelli and Boga Injured

Juventus rocked as Locatelli faces long lay-off and Boga ruled out

The injury list in Turin is no longer a concern. It’s a full-blown crisis.

Juventus confirmed on Monday that Manuel Locatelli has undergone knee surgery, while Jeremie Boga will also be sidelined for several weeks with a thigh problem, stripping the squad of two more key options at a delicate point in the season.

Locatelli out until 2027 after meniscus surgery

Locatelli’s setback is the most brutal blow. The midfielder suffered a meniscus tear in his right knee during Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Milan at the Allianz Stadium, a match in which he had been central to Juventus’ control in midfield before the injury struck.

A club statement revealed that Locatelli travelled to Lyon, where specialists operated to suture the external meniscus. The procedure was successful, but the recovery timeline is harsh.

Initial estimates suggest Juventus will be without the Italy international until 2027. Sky Sport Italia report that his absence could stretch to five or even six months, effectively wiping out the heart of his campaign and forcing the club to redraw their plans in midfield.

For a side already short of options, losing the metronome of their build-up play is a tactical and emotional hit.

Boga joins growing casualty list

As Locatelli begins the long road back, Boga is also heading to the treatment room.

The winger has been diagnosed with a medium-grade lesion to the femoral bicep in his left thigh. Juventus’ medical staff will reassess his condition in two weeks, but the early outlook is clear: Boga is expected to be out for at least a month, with a likely absence of around five weeks.

His pace and direct running had given the attack a different dimension. Now that spark disappears at a time when the team can ill afford to lose any more attacking weapons.

A squad stretched to breaking point

These latest setbacks land on top of an already alarming list. For the recent clash with Milan, Juventus were forced to do without Kenan Yildiz, Khephren Thuram, Weston McKennie, Jeff Ekhator, Juan Cabal, Andrea Cambiaso and Pape Matar Sarr.

Now Locatelli and Boga join them.

What was once a deep, competitive squad suddenly looks threadbare in key areas. Rotations become risks. Tactical tweaks turn into necessities. Every training session carries a hint of anxiety.

The season is still long, the objectives unchanged. But with leaders in midfield and thrust in attack stripped away, Juventus are about to discover just how resilient this group really is.