Kenan Yildiz will be out of action for two and a half to three months after the successful osteosynthesis operation for the fracture at the base of the fifth metatarsal of his left foot. The operation was performed on Monday afternoon, August 31, at the Hessingpark clinic in Augsburg by Dr. Martin Jordan, in the presence of the club doctor, Marco Freschi. Following the operation, Juventus released an official statement confirming that the player will immediately begin his rehabilitation program. The goal is, of course, to be available again after the November international break. In total, he will miss 12 to 15 matches between the championship and the cups.
How Yildiz's injury happened and how much does his absence weigh on Juve?
The injury occurred on the season debut against Frosinone, when a seemingly ordinary contact caused the problem that stopped the Turkish footballer. In the following days, the examinations at J-Medical clarified the nature of the injury and made the choice of surgical intervention inevitable. A joint and preferred decision to guarantee a more stable recovery and reduce the risk of the injury returning. Last season Yildiz was one of the team's reference points: 10 goals and 6 assists in 36 Serie A matches confirmed his growth, making him the number 10 around which Luciano Spalletti had built a large part of the offensive project. The summer preparation had also started with good feelings: the Turk had been working regularly and seemed ready to be confirmed as a protagonist before the current stoppage.
The matches Yildiz loses and the solutions of coach Spalletti
Now Spalletti will have to do without him for a significant part of the calendar. Between the championship and the Europa League, he risks missing at least ten Serie A matches (including the challenges with Milan, Sassuolo, Atalanta, Lazio, Napoli and Fiorentina) and the first four Europa League matches. To fill the gap, the coach can count on some solutions that he already has in the squad, as well as on the latest arrivals in the transfer market. Kerim Alajbegovic, the attacking winger who came from Bayer Leverkusen, is the most natural profile to occupy that area of the field. He is joined by Jeremie Boga and Nico González, since Jeff Ekhator is also injured, in addition to the possibility of reorganizing the balances with Kolo Muani more involved in the game schemes, where the latest arrival in attack: Woltemade will also be integrated.
Spalletti, in statements made before the operation, had already stressed that there were alternatives within the squad, although he acknowledged Yildiz's unique value both technically and humanly. The absence of the Turkish talent represents an important test for the depth of the black and white squad, which must show that it is able to cope with the weight of starting the season without one of its most creative players.
