A whooping cough outbreak has thrown the Sassuolo squad into turmoil ahead of their Serie A clash with Juventus on Saturday, March 21, 2026. At least six players are expected to miss the match due to the illness, significantly impacting Fabio Grosso’s team selection.
The news comes as a major blow for Sassuolo, who already hold the unenviable record of 16 defeats in 23 Serie A meetings against Juventus. The team’s preparation for this already challenging away game has been further complicated by the outbreak.
According to a club statement, one player has been officially diagnosed with whooping cough, while five others are exhibiting symptoms consistent with the infection. Those affected are currently isolated and under constant medical supervision, with the club adhering to all relevant health protocols in coordination with local health authorities.
All asymptomatic players have also received preventative treatment. The club has informed Serie A officials of the situation and will continue to monitor developments closely to protect the health of all team members and staff.
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. The illness is particularly concerning as the incubation period can last between 7-10 days.
Fabio Grosso is expected to call up several players from Sassuolo’s Primavera youth squad to bolster the team’s numbers for the trip to Turin. The team will be without key players like Matic and Thorstvedt, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Despite the health crisis, the Serie A match between Juventus and Sassuolo is still scheduled to proceed as planned on Saturday evening. However, the situation has sparked debate, with some questioning the decision to play the game given the number of affected players, as reported by Sky TG24.
The outbreak has brought renewed attention to the importance of vaccination against whooping cough, with some health experts pointing to a rise in cases among adults, according to ANSA.
