Juventus can breathe a sigh of relief as star duo Federico Chiesa and Adrien Rabiot are expected to recover in time for the coming Derby d’Italia with Inter.
The Bianconeri suffered their first slip-up in weeks when they hosted Empoli on Saturday evening, dropping points in a 1-1 draw with the Tuscany outfit. The result allowed rivals Inter to return to the top of the table with their 1-0 victory over Fiorentina, setting up a tense Derby d’Italia.
Chiesa hasn’t started for Juventus since the Coppa Italia win over Salernitana at the start of this month, dealing with a bone edema in his knee, whilst Rabiot has missed the club’s last three consecutive games with thigh and calf problems.
Page 29 of today’s Gazzetta dello Sport details how Juventus expect both Chiesa and Rabiot to return to squad training on Wednesday or Thursday this week, allowing them to start preparing for the coming Derby d’Italia with Inter on February 4.
Massimiliano Allegri will now need to decide whether to risk starting either or both the returning stars against the Nerazzurri on Sunday. Moise Kean’s move to Atletico Madrid has further reduced his options up front, making Chiesa’s return particularly important.