Juventus’ hopes of upsetting Barcelona in Saturday’s UEFA Champions League final might have limped out the door, following news of Giorgio Chiellini’s injury.
Chiellini tore his left calf muscle Wednesday during Juventus’ practice session, Juventus announced on its website. The injury will rule Chielli out of club soccer’s biggest game and dent his team’s chances lifting the European Cup.
“Missing out on the sitting was Giorgio Chiellini, who underwent tests after reporting discomfort in his calf on Wednesday,” Juventus said. “The scan revealed a first grade tear of the soleus muscle in his left leg, meaning the defender will miss Saturday’s final with Barcelona.”
Chiellini, 30, is Juventus’ top defender, and his absence will be a massive, and perhaps, fatal blow to Juventus. Barcelona forwards Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar form the soccer world’s most feared attacking unit, and Juventus will find it harder to keep the trio off the scoreboard without the rugged and experienced Chiellini.
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Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri will struggle maintain his team’s high defensive level without Chiellini. Leandro Bonucci, Chiellini’s usual partner in central defense, likely will start against Barcelona. Andrea Barzagli is the leading candidate to partner with Bonucci, but Allegri also could select Angelo Ogbonna. Barzagli and Ogbonna have played just 286 minutes of Champions League soccer this season (Chiellini played 1,080).
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Chiellini’s injury also will prevent him from facing Suarez, who infamously bit him at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Chiellini previously indicated he was looking forward to facing Suarez, shaking his hand and embracing him.
Chiellini’s calf injury will prevent the soccer world from witnessing one of the most high-profile reunions in recent memory.
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Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@BBCSport
