Report: Cuadrado could miss Super Cup match due to injury

It’s very exciting to be talking about Juventus on-field things for meaningful games. After a long, sometimes painful transfer window, it’s nice to be talking about something that doesn’t have to do with dollar signs and player movement.

Unfortunately, the news to talk about is about an injury. Gianluca Di Marzio is reporting that Juan Cuadrado could be set to miss the first competitive fixture of the season, the Super Coppa. Cuadrado has reportedly stopped training with the team due to a muscle strain, and will need to be further evaluated to determine the severity of the injury.

A season ago, this would have been an injury that would have forced Juventus’ hand to changing formations and likely deploying a 3-5-2. This time around, things are different as Juventus has plenty of options available at right wing, with newcomers Douglas Costa and Federico Bernardeschi.

Back to transfer talk for a second, this could also affect Juventus’ strategy in the transfer market. Cuadrado’s spot on the roster can’t be considered 100% safe, with reported interest from Milan, Roma, and Arsenal for the winger, with a replacement for Lazio’s Keita Balde being considered. An injury of a substantial magnitude could halt any transfer negotiations for the time being.

Hopefully it’s not too serious and Cuadrado is able to return to the lineup for the Supercoppa or shortly after.

Juventus will be taking on Coppa Italia finalists, Lazio, this Sunday at 2:45 EST at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, marking their first competitive fixture of the season.