Juve left alarmed as Bremer is forced off with muscle problem in Istanbul
Gleison Bremer was forced out in the first half of Juventus' Champions League playoff tie in Istanbul after suffering a muscle problem, leaving Luciano Spalletti to reshuffle his back line. The Brazilian defender tried to carry on but signalled distress and was substituted in the 34th minute, with Federico Gatti taking his place amid growing fitness concerns for the club.
How the injury unfolded
The issue presented itself in the opening half-hour when Bremer repeatedly touched his thigh before ultimately being unable to continue. He attempted to play through the discomfort but the pain proved too much and he left the field at the 34th minute. Gatti was introduced immediately to plug the gap, and the squad pressed on with the game plan despite the unplanned change.
Medical staff attended to Bremer at the side of the pitch and he was taken off for further assessment. At present the problem is described as muscular in nature; Juventus' medical team will carry out scans and a full evaluation in the hours following the match to determine the severity and an expected return timeline. The club has been tight-lipped on definitive diagnostic details while awaiting imaging and specialist input.
Immediate tactical fallout and broader implications
The mid-match switch forced a tactical shuffle at a crucial moment of a high-stakes fixture. Gatti stepped into a central defensive role, leaving Spalletti to manage substitutions and defensive shape across the remainder of the tie. Losing a first-choice centre-back like Bremer so early presents a headache for the coaching staff, particularly in a two-leg playoff where away goals and second-leg fitness can be decisive.
Beyond the current fixture, the incident raises questions about squad depth and the availability of defensive options for upcoming domestic and European matches. If Bremer requires anything more than a short period of rest, the team may need to rely on rotation or altered formations to cover his absence. That will test the unit's resilience and could force the manager to rethink personnel usage in the short term.
What comes next
Juventus will prioritise medical evaluation over the next 24–72 hours. Standard procedure is to perform imaging to assess muscle fibres and rule out a more serious tear. The timeline for return will depend on those results, with minor strains potentially manageable within days and more significant damage requiring weeks of rehabilitation.
Meanwhile, the coaching staff will monitor Gatti's performance and the cohesion of the back line as they prepare for the remainder of the European campaign and the domestic calendar. Match fitness, rotation needs and recovery protocols will guide squad selection in the immediate future, and supporters will be watching for the club's formal update once tests are complete.
For now, the swift substitution and precautionary measures underline a cautious approach to player welfare ahead of a congested run of fixtures. The coming assessments will determine whether this is a short-term scare or a more disruptive absence for Juventus' defence.
