Look who`s returned. Teun Koopmeiners will be aiming to rediscover his best form at the Club World Cup in America. After three standout seasons at Atalanta and particularly a disappointing first year in Turin, Juventus is hoping the tournament will be a turning point for the Dutch midfielder.
While his late August arrival and lack of pre-season preparation certainly impacted his initial performances, it doesn`t fully explain months of play that fell short of expectations. Thiago Motta, who specifically pushed for his signing, continued to give him opportunities even when he wasn`t performing optimally, maintaining faith despite displays well below his potential.
To be fair, luck hasn`t been on his side either. In early October, during the Champions League match against Leipzig, he suffered a blow to the ribs which was later confirmed as a displaced fracture of the anterior right rib. This injury forced him off early in the subsequent league match against Cagliari.
Physical preparation efforts by the athletic staff, specifically tailored for Koopmeiners, were thus undone by this unexpected setback, just as he was seemingly finding his rhythm. In America, everyone associated with the club, most importantly Koopmeiners himself, is hoping to see him return to his peak performance.