Juventus and Italy lose Pirlo for month
Thursday, August 28, 2014
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Juventus and Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo will miss the start of the UEFA Champions League and the European Qualifiers next month after suffering a thigh injury.
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Juventus and Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo will be sidelined for the start of the UEFA Champions League and European Qualifying after suffering a right thigh injury in a recent friendly.
Pirlo sustained the injury in a game against his former side AC Milan on Saturday, and tests confirmed today that the 35-year-old will not be able to play for about a month. That rules him out of the opening matches in the UEFA Champions League group stage, to be held on 16/17 September, with the Italian champions waiting to discover the names of their opponents in today's Monaco draw.
Pirlo will also miss Italy's first game in UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying against Norway on 9 September in Group H, having made himself available to new coach Antonio Conte after previously announcing his retirement. He has played 112 times with Italy.