Zakaria limps off in new Juventus injury scare

Denis Zakaria limped off with a suspected thigh problem just 35 minutes into the game with Empoli, adding to the Juventus injury crisis.

The January signing pulled up suddenly and immediately asked to be substituted.

Medical staff applied an ice-pack to the top of his left thigh as he limped off the pitch at the Stadio Castellani to make way for Manuel Locatelli.

Initial reports suggest it is an adductor issue and the prognosis is not promising.

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It’s a potentially serious blow for Max Allegri, who is already missing so many key players due to injuries.

Federico Chiesa and Kaio Jorge are out for the rest of the season following knee surgery, with Weston McKennie on the treatment table for at least two months with a double metatarsal fracture in his foot.

Paulo Dybala, Daniele Rugani, Alex Sandro, Giorgio Chiellini and Federico Bernardeschi are all dealing with muscular issues and it looks as if Zakaria has joined them.

The Switzerland international only arrived in January from Borussia Monchengladbach and this was his fifth appearance in the Juventus jersey.