Di Gregorio comments as Juventus drop Danilo despite Gatti injury | OneFootball

Michele Di Gregorio insists not much will change in the Juventus defence with Federico Gatti out of action, as fans wonder why Danilo has been dropped in favour of Pierre Kalulu against Napoli.

It kicks off at the Allianz Juventus Stadium at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s three Serie A games on the LIVEBLOG.

The Bianconeri have not conceded a single Serie A goal so far this season in four matches, so their defensive structure is obviously solid, despite changing quite a few players.

“I’ve felt good with my teammates since the first day, we have a bond of trust on and off the field, so hopefully can continue to concede as few goals as possible,” goalkeeper Di Gregorio told DAZN.

Gatti has a slight ankle problem, so rather than Danilo in central defence, Thiago Motta shifts Pierre Kalulu there and starts Nicolò Savona at right-back. What does this change for Juventus?

“I don’t think it changes much, as we work during the week in training, are trying to absorb the tactical concepts of the coach and those remain.”

Juventus decision on Danilo is surprising

The decision is still raising quite a few eyebrows, especially considering it is up against Romelu Lukaku and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s Napoli.

Danilo had started pre-season with a few injury concerns, but is now believed to be fully fit and available.

Nonetheless, the captain has been dropped repeatedly by coach Thiago Motta and his longest appearance of the season was for 33 minutes in the Champions League 3-1 win over PSV Eindhoven.

The veteran turned 33 in July and has been at Juve since the €37m transfer from Manchester City in 2019.

Savona is a promising 21-year-old product of the Juventus youth academy, whereas Kalulu arrived on loan with option to buy from Milan and can play at right-back or central defence.