Juventus relief as Bosnia confirm Alajbegovic substitution just a precaution
TURIN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 17: Kerim Alajbegovic of Juventus scores his team’s second goal past Nikolas Polster of N.E.C. Nijmegen during the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Juventus and N.E.C. Nijmegen at Juventus Stadium on September 17, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Juventus can breathe easily over Kerim Alajbegovic after Bosnia confirmed his withdrawal against Sweden was nothing more than cramp.
As noted by Calciomercato.it, the attacking midfielder scored the equaliser before leaving the pitch on 87 minutes, initially prompting concern in Turin.
Barbarez: ‘Alajbegovic didn’t want to come off’
Coach Sergej Barbarez settled the matter in his press conference.
“Kerim didn’t want to leave the pitch. I substituted him because he had cramp and so as not to risk him getting injured.”
Alajbegovic should be available for Bosnia’s next fixture against Poland before returning to Turin ahead of the Serie A restart.
The timing of any absence would have been awkward. Luciano Spalletti is already without Kenan Yildiz until December, and the 2007-born Bosnian has emerged as the natural deputy in that role, he opened the scoring against NEC Nijmegen in the Europa League and started against Atalanta.
He is also central to the longer-term picture. Juventus paid around €35m for him in the summer, and reporting this weekend framed him as the in-house heir should Real Madrid’s interest in Yildiz ever turn into a bid. Fabrizio Ravanelli has tipped him to become a leader of this side.
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