Juventus lose another centre-back for several weeks as Spalletti hits defensive crisis

Luciano Spalletti may be forced into making a tactical change when Juventus take on Fiorentina in Serie A on Saturday, as an injury to defender Daniele Rugani means that the Old Lady only have two fully fit, senior centre-backs in their squad as things stand. 

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Rugani is expected to be ruled out for around three weeks as a result of a strain to the soleus muscle in his right leg. 

It was a case of one in, one out for the Bianconer, who welcomed Lloyd Kelly back into training on Wednesday, but lost Rugani during the same session. 

Kelly has been battling with a calf injury throughout November, and missed the last three Juventus matches prior to the international break. Bremer, who had surgery on his meniscus in October, is not expected to return until December. 

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, it is a stretch that Kelly is fully fit enough to start against Fiorentina on Saturday, and with Rugani and Bremer also out, Pierre Kalulu and Federico Gatti are likely to start in a back four. 

If Spalletti decides to stick with a back three, it is almost certain that he will stick with the same two centre-backs plus Teun Koopmeiners on the left-hand side.