Serie A

Celik return is a boost for Roma against Juventus in Week 31 battle

April 2, 2025

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Celik return is a boost for Roma against Juventus in Week 31 battle

NAPLES, ITALY – NOVEMBER 24: Zeki Celik of AS Roma during the Serie A match between Napoli and AS Roma at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on November 24, 2024 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Roma received some good news ahead of their Serie A showdown with Juventus, as with Alexis Saelemaekers suspended, Zeki Celik returns just in time from injury.

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

This is a crucial battle for Europe, because Roma are just three points behind Juve in the Serie A table, sitting in fifth and sixth place.

Claudio Ranieri has problems to deal with on the right flank, as Saelemaekers is suspended, while Devyne Rensch and Saul Abdulhamid are both injured.

Former Juventus star Paulo Dybala is also out for the rest of the season following tendon surgery.

Celik can resolve Roma problem on the right

epa11894389 Roma's Zeki Celik (R) celebrates with Tommaso Baldanzi after scoring the 0-1 goal during the UEFA Europa League soccer match between FC Porto and AS Roma, in Porto, Portugal, 13 February 2025. EPA-EFE/FERNANDO VELUDO — epa11894389 Roma’s Zeki Celik (R) celebrates with Tommaso Baldanzi after scoring the 0-1 goal during the UEFA Europa League soccer match between FC Porto and AS Roma, in Porto, Portugal, 13 February 2025. EPA-EFE/FERNANDO VELUDO

It is therefore particularly important that the versatile Celik is back in full training, because he is one of the only remaining options for that role.

Sky Sport Italia suggest the Turkey international will be pushed straight into the starting XI against Juve.

Artem Dovbyk also completed the full session with his teammates following a muscular twinge, but midfielder Lucas Gourna-Douath was training with heavy strapping to his left knee.