Juventus face defensive crisis for Inter and Champions League playoff | OneFootball

Pierre Kalulu is expected to remain out of action for at least three weeks, missing key games against Inter and in the Champions League playoffs and leaving Thiago Motta with only Federico Gatti and new signing Renato Veiga available in central defence.

Kalulu was forced to the sidelines early in Wednesday’s Champions League match against Benfica. On Thursday, he underwent exams that revealed a thigh injury that would keep him out of action for several weeks.

Juventus said Kalulu will undergo further medical tests in approximately ten days to determine his recovery time, but according to Sky Sport and other reputable Italian media, the French defender won’t return to action before three weeks.

Juventus face defensive crisis for Inter and Champions League playoff

NAPLES, ITALY – JANUARY 25: Thiago Motta Juventus head coach during the Serie A match between Napoli and Juventus at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on January 25, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

This means Kalulu will miss a crucial Serie A match against Inter in mid-February, as well as the Champions League playoffs against Milan or PSV.

With Gleison Bremer out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, Motta will face a defensive selection crisis with only Gatti and Veiga available in the middle.

The Portuguese joined Juventus on loan from Chelsea last week and is expected to make his debut on Sunday against Empoli.

Kalulu was replaced by Manuel Locatelli in central defence last night, but Juventus conceded just 30 seconds after the Italian’s introduction.

Veiga was unavailable as he was still not part of the Juventus UEFA list, but he will be included in the squad for the knockout phase.