Nico González will not take part in the upcoming Derby della Mole against Torino, having to wait until the return fixture on January 11 to experience his first derby clash for Juventus, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
The Argentine forward is still sidelined due to a low-grade strain in his right thigh muscle sustained during a match in Leipzig over a month ago.
Initial recovery estimates suggested he might be ready within three weeks, ideally in time to face Inter, but his recovery timeline has been extended.
Recovery Approach Focuses on Strengthening and Injury Prevention
González will stay at Continassa for additional training and rehabilitation work, utilizing the upcoming two-week international break to regain full fitness.
The club has opted for a conservative approach, implementing a specialized program to strengthen his muscles and improve elasticity to prevent future injuries.
This decision stems from his previous injury record, which saw him miss 10 games last season due to various physical issues.
No National Duty for González
After consulting with Juventus’ medical and coaching staff, the decision was made to keep González out of the lineup for now, avoiding any risks by rushing his return.
Consequently, he will also miss out on the Argentine national team’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Peru.
Although González was initially called up by Argentina’s head coach Lionel Scaloni, his current condition means he will remain in Turin to continue his recovery.
Juventus’ Patience with González’s Return
Since joining Juventus late into the season, González has managed 307 minutes on the field and scored once in the Champions League against PSV.
However, he has missed seven matches due to injuries. Manager Thiago Motta is eager to see him return, and González himself is anxious to rejoin the squad.
Yet, patience remains key as the forward works to ensure a more robust and lasting comeback.
