Mandzukic avoids surgery and could play in Champions League against Atlético Madrid
The Croatian striker is injured, but has avoided going under the knife, meaning he could play against Atlético Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League.
Mario Mandzukic should be fit for Juventus’ Champions League second round tie against Atlético Madrid. The Croatian striker, a key man for the Italian club, missed the Italian Super Cup against Milan through injury and the initial prognosis suggested he might be forced to undergo surgery, missing up to four months of football.
Mandzukic should be fit for Atlético Madrid match
However this newspaper has learnt that Mandzukic will avoid going under the knife, and with the right rehabilitation should be fit again within a month, meaning he’d be ready to play Simeone’s side, who crashed out of the Copa del Rey this evening, Wednesday, against Girona.
Mandzukic tweeted: “Working hard to be back with my teammates in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, I’m the biggest fan and good luck for tonight”. Juventus won the Italian Super Cup, beating Milan 1-0 thanks to a Cristiano Ronaldo goal.
Mandzukic joined Juventus from Atlético Madrid
The striker joined Juventus from Atlético Madrid in the summer of 2015 and this season is part of a highly dangerous forward line, alongside Dybala and Cristiano Ronaldo. Mandzukic has scored nine goals in 21 games, having moved further out towards the left wing.
Atlético Madrid are at home in the Wanda Metropolitano for the first leg, on 20 February, with the return leg in Turin on 12 March.
| Classification | PTS | WM | TM | LM |
|---|
| Upcoming matches |
|---|
| Classification | PTS | WM | TM | LM |
|---|
| Upcoming matches |
|---|