Champions League: Dybala might be missing for Juventus against Lyon

Juventus player Paulo Dybala during a Champions League training session ahead of the match between Juventus and Olympique Lyonnais at JTC in Turin, Italy. Photo: Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images

Paulo Dybala is unlikely to be fit enough to start tomorrow’s Champions League decider with Lyon, so Juventus look to Gonzalo Higuain and Juan Cuadrado.


The Round of 16 clash kicks off in Turin on Friday at 20.00.

The first leg ended 1-0 for Olympique Lyonnais in France back in February, so the Bianconeri must win by two clear goals to turn this around.

Dybala is the big doubt, as he sustained a muscular injury against Sampdoria 11 days ago and did not take part in today’s full training session either.

It seems frankly improbable that he’ll make a recovery rapid enough to start tomorrow evening, with Douglas Costa, Mattia De Sciglio and Sami Khedira also out of action.

That means Higuain is the favourite to take the centre-forward role, flanked by Cristiano Ronaldo and Cuadrado.

Coach Maurizio Sarri said in today’s press conference  he knew the Colombian would start, but not necessarily in which role, as he can be a right-back or on the right side of a trident attack.

If Cuadrado is chosen in defence, then Federico Bernardeschi is the natural remaining pick upfront.

Adrien Rabiot, Rodrigo Bentancur and Miralem Pjanic are tipped for the midfield.