Jonathan David will miss the first leg of Juventus’s Champions League playoff against Galatasaray in Istanbul on Tuesday after suffering a groin injury.
Gianluca Di Marzio reported the injury ahead of the Bianconeri’s trip to Turkey. David played for 60 minutes in Juventus’s 3-2 loss to Inter on Saturday but is unavailable for the match against Galatasaray.
The Canada forward is in his first season with Juventus. The Brooklyn-born, Ottawa-raised David joined the club on a Bosman from Lille last summer.
David has five goals and four assists through 24 Serie A appearances this season. He has also produced two goals and an assist across eight Champions League matches.
His absence further reduces Juve’s attacking options. Dusan Vlahovic remains sidelined with an adductor injury, while Arek Milik is unavailable because of a calf problem.
Belgium international Lois Openda is therefore the only recognized striker in the Juventus squad in Turkey. Openda has struggled mightily this season and now carries the available centre-forward duties for the opening match of the tie.
After Tuesday’s game in Istanbul, Juventus returns to Serie A play at home to Como on Saturday. Juve will then host Gala in the second leg of the Champions League playoff next Wednesday.