Injuries curb Juventus's creativity

Juventus will begin their UEFA Champions League campaign without Diego and Alessandro Del Piero after the playmakers were ruled out of Tuesday's Group A opener against FC Girondins de Bordeaux.

Giovinco role
Brazilian international Diego suffered a thigh injury in Saturday's 2-0 win at S.S. Lazio and while a scan allayed initial fears about the extent of the problem he will be sidelined for a week. "Let's see if we can get him back for the next Serie A game [against AS Livorno Calcio on Saturday]," said coach Ciro Ferrara, who confirmed Del Piero will not be rushed back for the Bordeaux meeting as he recovers from a thigh knock of his own. Sebastian Giovinco, who replaced Diego against Lazio, is expected to start behind the forwards. Right-back Zdeněk Grygera has also been ruled out of Matchday 1 with a knee problem but there is some good news for Juve as Jonathan Zebina is available after shaking off an achilles injury.