Juventus are dealing with an early injury setback involving summer recruit Jeff Ekhator, who was forced to leave the pitch during his debut for the club. The young striker, who joined from Genoa, participated in Saturday’s pre-season friendly against Basel, which served as the first match of the summer for manager Luciano Spalletti.
Ekhator’s appearance lasted less than 30 minutes before he was withdrawn in the 29th minute, with teammate Lois Openda stepping in as his replacement. While the exact nature of the injury remains unconfirmed, reports from TuttoMercatoWeb suggest initial assessments indicate a muscular issue in the thigh. Conversely, Corriere dello Sport noted that the 2006-born forward was seen clutching his knee repeatedly after a collision with a defender during a run. Despite the discomfort, Ekhator was able to rise and walk off the pitch under his own power.
The club is expected to conduct comprehensive medical examinations in the coming hours to determine the severity of the injury. Proper examinations in the coming hours will determine the severity. The timing of the incident is particularly difficult for Juventus, as Ekhator was viewed as the initial phase of the club's attacking overhaul. Spalletti had intended to use the pre-season period to evaluate his forward options, as the club continues to pursue other targets such as Randal Kolo Muani, alongside potential alternatives like Mateo Pellegrino and Richarlison.
Losing a young prospect so early in the pre-season is a complication the coaching staff hoped to avoid, and the club remains hopeful that upcoming tests will provide positive news regarding his recovery.
