Boniek outlines Milik concern after Juventus omission

Arkadiusz Milik’s difficult spell has taken another turn after the Juventus striker was omitted from the club’s squads for Serie A and the Europa League, with Zbigniew Boniek saying the Poland international remains unsure about his current level after a long run of injury setbacks.

A long recovery that has not fully cleared

Milik has managed only limited time on the pitch across the last two years, with his problems beginning in June 2024 during Poland’s friendly against Ukraine before Euro 2024. What started as a knee injury was followed by further physical issues, extending his absence and complicating any straightforward return.

There had been some encouragement during pre-season. Milik featured in Juventus friendlies and also found the net in one of those matches, suggesting he was at least moving closer to regular involvement. Even so, that progress has not been enough to secure him a place in Juventus’ plans for either domestic league action or European competition.

Boniek’s honest verdict

Speaking on Moc Futbolu on Kanał Sportowy, Boniek said he has remained in contact with Milik and painted a worrying picture of the striker’s current condition. According to Boniek, Milik is sceptical about his own form, and each attempt to step up the intensity of training has tended to bring fresh minor problems.

Boniek also relayed that Milik had previously spoken about the way his body is built and how that has contributed to recurring deficiencies. In Boniek’s view, the situation is not accidental and helps explain why Juventus have not included him in their registered squads.

Boniek’s central message was clear: after such a long period without regular football, returning to the level Milik once reached is an extremely difficult task.

Why Juventus left him out

The source material attributes an explanation to Luciano Spalletti, who said there was no room to carry three strikers. Whatever the squad-balance reasoning, the practical outcome for Milik is severe. Without registration for Serie A or the Europa League, his route to competitive minutes at Juventus is effectively blocked for now.

That leaves the 73-cap Poland forward in a deeply uncertain position. If he stays in Turin, he could be facing months on the sidelines and in the stands rather than on the pitch. A move away may also be difficult, with transfer windows in many major leagues already closed.

Uncertain next steps for the Poland striker

Boniek’s comments were not without warmth. He recalled Milik’s important contribution in Poland’s historic win over Germany and described him as a good person, while also acknowledging the harsh reality that his physical condition has made it hard to sustain his career at the highest level.

For now, that is the tension at the heart of Milik’s situation: there have been signs of progress, but not enough to remove the doubts around his body or his readiness. Boniek said he hopes the striker can still find a way through it, yet his assessment was unmistakably cautious. After such a prolonged battle with injury, a full return to top-level football looks far from simple.

• Milik’s injury problems began in June 2024 against Ukraine.
• He was not registered by Juventus for Serie A or the Europa League.
• Boniek says the striker remains sceptical about his form.
• Pre-season brought some encouragement, including a goal in a friendly.