Chiellini out for a month
Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini will be out injured for at least a month after sustaining a knee injury.
The Bianconeri player limped off during last night’s epic 5-3 Coppa Italia victory over Empoli and Coach Claudio Ranieri was immediately concerned at the setback.
Today tests confirmed a sprained right knee with damage to the collateral ligament, which will rule him out for between four and six weeks.
Cristian Molinaro also picked up an injury during that game, but is not thought to be serious and should be ready for this weekend’s Serie A meeting with Sampdoria.
As Chiellini hopes to be back in time for the Turin derby on February 27, it is possible the club won’t seek out a replacement on the transfer market.
Yet he will miss out on games against Sampdoria, Livorno, Cagliari, Udinese, Roma, Reggina and the Coppa Italia quarter-final with Inter.
Zdenek Grygera and Jean Alain Boumsong are the only alternatives to partner Nicola Legrottaglie in central defence, but neither has entirely convinced this season.
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