Juventus are navigating a serious injury crisis that has stripped Luciano Spalletti of his first-choice midfield options just four games into the season. Manuel Locatelli, the club captain, underwent knee surgery after picking up a problem following the 1-1 draw with Milan and will miss close to five months. Khephren Thuram is also sidelined for an extended period, leaving a midfield that looked well-stocked before the season suddenly threadbare.

The situation has forced a rapid reassessment. Teun Koopmeiners and Douglas Luiz, both of whom endured difficult first seasons at the club, have gone from fringe concerns to indispensable starters almost overnight. Douglas Luiz has responded well, returning to form strong enough to earn a Brazil call-up under Carlo Ancelotti. Senegalese newcomer Pape Sarr is working his way back from a minor physical issue and could offer some relief, while Next Gen midfielder Augusto Owusu has been called into the first-team fold as an emergency option.

In attack, Spalletti is weighing up whether to start Nick Woltemade and Randal Kolo Muani together against Sassuolo, a pairing that could add physical presence in the opposition box. Juventus sit eighth in Serie A with seven points from three games, and Sunday's match at the Mapei Stadium offers a chance to maintain contact with the early pacesetters despite the mounting injury problems.