Juve loses Chiellini for Berlin final
Print Edition
Juventus yesterday ruled key defender Giorgio Chiellini out of the Champions League final against Barcelona after he suffered a muscle tear in training.
Chiellini had to leave training on Wednesday and scans yesterday confirmed the bad news for the Italian champion.
“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,” said a Juventus statement.
It was to be Chiellini’s first Champions League final and his place will now be taken by Andrea Barzagli, who returned to training on Wednesday following his own, recent injury knock.
Chiellini’s absence has robbed fans of watching him come up against Barcelona striker Luis Suarez, who was sent off and banned for four months after biting the Italian on the shoulder during an Italy vs Uruguay group fixture at last summer’s World Cup.
Asked on Monday if he would shake Suarez’s hand before the game, Chiellini replied: “Of course I will!”
Chiellini, whose natural position is at left-back, is ranked among the top defenders in Europe and has often given Juventus extra potency in attack when he moves up the park for corners and free-kick situations.
Chiellini scored the opener for Juventus in its recent 2-1 Cup final win over Lazio.
However Chiellini’s absence will not be a disappointment to Barcelona, which looks set to recover key midfielder Andres Iniesta for tomorrow’s final at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
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