Juventus News: Alvaro Morata highly unlikely to play against Verona

Juventus are preparing to face Hellas Verona on Saturday night at the Marcantonio Bentegodi, and they must go up against a difficult opponent without a few key players.

Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci are still on the mend, while two even more important starters at positions with less depth, Juan Cuadrado and Arthur Melo, remain injured.

And a cytomegalovirus flare-up is preventing key forward Alvaro Morata from being at 100 percent. The Spanish international has been making appearances off the bench for Juve, but he has clearly not been at full strength.

According to a report from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Alvaro Morata has only a 10 percent chance of playing this weekend against Hellas Verona.

Juventus could start Dejan Kulusevski again at Verona

Therefore, Dejan Kulusevski could start alongside Cristiano Ronaldo as the two men up top for the third straight game.

We know that Kulusevski is no striker, but with Paulo Dybala still injured and now Morata out, there are no alternatives. Juventus wanted to sign another striker as depth this winter, but they could not find a reasonable deal.

As for Morata, he needs rest. There is still a slight chance Morata will play, yes, but the percent chance should effectively be zero.

Cytomegalovirus unsurprisingly has fatigue listed as a prominent symptom, and those suffering from symptoms are encouraged to receive as much rest as possible. Partaking in two football matches is hardly rest, and a third would honestly be irresponsible on the part of Juventus.

Morata needs the confidence in front of goal, and thus he needs to be playing at 100 percent mentally as well. Confidence is key for a striker. Hopefully, he will be at full strength by the time Juve head into March, as Lazio beckon on the 6th of the month before the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16 against the upset-hopeful FC Porto.