Pape Sarr Returns to Group Training as Juventus Manage Midfield
Juventus received a welcome fitness boost on September 11 as Pape Sarr trained regularly with the group, having overcome the physical problems that had kept him sidelined since his arrival at Continassa. The midfielder’s return comes as Luciano Spalletti finalises his plans for the trip to face Sassuolo, with Weston McKennie and Andrea Cambiaso still working away from the main group, according to Sport Quotidiano.
The timing matters given the ongoing shortage in central midfield, with Juventus already managing a lengthy absentee list that includes Khephren Thuram and Manuel Locatelli. Sarr’s reintegration gives Spalletti a fresh rotation option, even if he is not expected to be thrown straight into a starting role against Sassuolo.
Availability Snapshot
| Player | Training Status (Sept 11) | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|
| Pape Sarr | Trained with the group | Possible squad inclusion vs Sassuolo |
| Weston McKennie | Trained apart | Targeting Europa League clash with Nijmegen |
| Andrea Cambiaso | Trained apart | Expected after the league break |
According to Sport Quotidiano, the most likely midfield pairing against Sassuolo remains Teun Koopmeiners and Douglas Luiz, with Sarr evaluated in the coming sessions to determine whether he can be called up at all for matchday four. Should his condition allow it, he could be introduced during the match itself rather than from the opening whistle.
McKennie is described as the more advanced of the two absentees and could be available for the Europa League opener against Nijmegen, while Cambiaso’s path is longer, with his return pencilled in for October after the Serie A break – ruling him out not just for Sassuolo but for the following fixtures as well. For more on how the club is managing this midfield squeeze, the picture remains one of gradual reintegration rather than immediate solutions.
Sarr’s arrival was always framed as a response to Juventus’ midfield needs this summer, and his first involvement with the group is a step toward justifying that move, even as the source notes he will need time to regain top form after his injury.
