Injured Andrea Barzagli is doubtful for Champions League final
Turin (Italy), May 26 (IANS) Italian football club Juventus confirmed that their centre-back Andrea Barzagli has sustained an injury to his right femur and will begin treatment "immediately" in hopes of being ready in time for the Champions League final against Barcelona on June 6 in Berlin.
"The defender undergoes an MRI scan which reveals a first-grade tear of the rectus femoris muscle in his right thigh," Juventus said on Monday, reports Efe. During Juventus' 3-1 Serie A victory over Napoli last Saturday, Barzagli, 34, had to leave the field after suffering severe muscle pain that turned out to be an injury.
"Barzagli will now begin treatment and his condition will be monitored on a day-to-day basis in order to have him available for the Champions League final," Juventus added. The news would be an unwanted one for Juve coach Allegri as they are preparing to face the formidable Barcelona. Allegri would have preferred if Barzagli was available for selection although the Italian has not featured much for the Bianconeri this season.
Allegri will have his options limited if Barzagli does not get fit for the final as he uses the centre-back in a 3-5-2 formation. The defender had put in a brilliant performance against Napoli where he managed to keep Gonzalo Higuain quiet in the match.
The defender is an important member of the Old Lady since he had arrived from Wolfsburg in 2011. But the Italian has seen very little action this season due to injury. The 34-year-old only made his first start in the League in March, against Sassuolo. The defender had suffered an injury to his ankle during the 2014 FIFA World Cup that kept him sidelined for long spells.
The defender played an important role in Bianconeri’s march to the Champions League final as they did not concede a goal for 206 minutes this season when the defender was on the pitch. And his absence would be a blow for Juventus.