Few top players are in danger of missing the next Serie A weekend, let’s take a look at the status updates.
Napoli: Dries Mertens rolled an ankle in practice, but he played against Leipzig, so it was nothing severe. Arek Milik could be inserted the squad list this weekend or the next, but he will be obviously brought along slowly, while Faouzi Ghoulam’s return is up in the air, but it will not be before 30 days from now. Vlad Chiriches is out with a hamstring issue. Mario Rui was subbed off midweek for some plantar fascia pain and he is questionable.
Juventus: Gonzalo Higuain and Federico Bernardeschi were subbed off because of injuries in the last game. The striker did not need further tests after an ankle sprain because it turned out to be a minor problem, but he is still expected to sit out the Atalanta match. The knee issue of the winger is more severe: he will be re-evaluated in 20 days. On the other hand, Mario Mandzukic is available after skipping one due to the flu and Blaise Matuidi has gotten past a hamstring strain, so he will be available, at least in a limited capacity. Mattia De Sciglio suffered a hamstring ailment which could keep him out for a couple of weeks. Juan Cuadrado remains on the shelf after sports hernia surgery.
Roma: no new injuries for Eusebio Di Francesco’s side, who will be without Maxime Gonalons (calf) and Rick Kardsorp (knee), who have been sidelined for a while.
Lazio: Martin Caceres was substituted in Europa League because of a knock on the knee, but there is optimism it is nothing serious. He might still miss the Sassuolo game though. Davide Di Gennaro is healthy now.
Inter: Ivan Perisic has recovered from a bruised shoulder and could be ready to start, while Mauro Icardi and Joao Miranda are in the squad list after missing time with pulled hamstrings, but the coaching staff could be more careful with them ahead of next week’s derby.
Sampdoria: Dennis Praet re-joined the rest of his teammate this week after missing time with a hamstring strain. He might be available this weekend. Gaston Ramirez tweaked an ankle in practice but he should be fine. Jacopo Sala has a sore ankle as well.
Milan: Nikola Kalinic is practicing fully after being sidelined by a groin inflammation. Davide Calabria has some muscle fatigue. Mateo Musacchio has a calf problem that needs further evaluation. Marco Storari is about to return from a calf strain, while Andrea Conti is one or two weeks away.
Atalanta: other than Luca Rizzo, who immediately went down with a severe hamstring problem, no injury concerns for Gian Piero Gasperini.
Torino: Lyanco played in a friendly in midweek, so there are no sidelined players for the Granata. Cristian Molinaro fractured his fibula and will miss over a month.
Udinese: Valon Behrami is dealing with some muscle fatigue and he will likely miss the next game. Stipe Perica is suspended and Kevin Lasagna needs at least three more weeks to solve his issue, so they are thin upfront. Emil Hallfredsson has a sore knee, but he might be available.
Fiorentina: Milan Badelj and Nikola Milenkovic are disqualified. Vincent Laurini has worked his way back from a pair of plantar fascia lesions and he should be out there on Sunday.
Genoa: Davide Biraschi could be available after a minor hamstring problem, while Giuseppe Rossi and Miguel Veloso are expected to return next week from similar, but more severe, issues. Adel Taarabt and Armando Izzo are still a little behind in their recoveries from back spasm and a MCL tear respectively.
Bologna: Rodrigo Palacio suffered a quad strain that will sideline him for about a month. Simone Verdi is in the squad list, but Roberto Donadoni tempered expectations about his minutes in the pre-game presser. Sebastien De Maio is suspended. Back-up goalie Angelo Da Costa has missed time with lower back pain.
Cagliari: Filippo Romagna missed the last game with a sprained ankle, but he should be available. The same goes for Fabio Pisacane after a cut on the knee. Diego Farias is questionable with some muscle fatigue and they are usually careful with him. Luca Cigarini could be out until the next break with a foot fracture.
Chievo: a knock provoked a strain in Emanuele Giaccherini’s hamstring and he will be out about three weeks. Valter Birsa has been ruled out because of the flu.
Sassuolo: Edoardo Goldaniga is suspended. Matteo Politano and Alessandro Matri have practiced on their own for most of the week, but they could still play against Lazio. Pol Lirola is banged up. Timo Letschert is out for the long-term because of an ACL tear.
Crotone: Adrian Stoian (hamstring strain) and Marco Tumminello (ACL tear) are the only injured players for the Sharks.
Spal: Felipe is disqualified. Alberto Grassi has some muscle fatigue, while Marco Borriello is inching closer a return after an edema in his calf.
Verona: Marcel Buchel will miss considerable time because of a tear in his thigh, likely more than a month. They could have Alex Ferrari back after he was held out for a couple of games. Alessio Cerci needs more time to nurse a second consecutive hamstring strain. Mattia Zaccagni spent a lot of time on the shelf because of a sore patellar tendon and he elected to have surgery to fix the problem: he could be out for the rest of the season, but he is expected to make a full recovery.
Benevento: Marco D’Alessandro will be sidelined again because of muscular problems, while Guilherme has had a swollen knee, but he has recovered.
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