Massive injury news has come out of Turin. Defender Giorgio Chiellini has been ruled out of the Champions League Final against Barcelona with a lesion on the soleus muscle of his left leg, according to an announcement on Juventus’ official website.
Chiellini is the 1st vice-captain of Juventus, and the leader of a seasoned corp of center-backs who have done nothing less than carry on a long, proud Italian tradition of defensive excellence.
The absence of Chiellini will limit Juventus’ flexibility ahead of the Barcelona match, likely removing the possibility that the Italian side plays with three at the back. Juventus’ two other highly capable center backs, Andrea Barzalgi and Leonardo Bonucci, will undoubtedly start against Barcelona as a part of a traditional defensive pairing.
That duo will go toe to toe with Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr., and Luis Suarez of Barcelona, the best attacking trio of the 2014/15 campaign. The three have scored over 120 goals between them, and have taken turns embarrassing nothing less than the best defenses in the world. Barzalgi and Bonucci will have their hands full, to say the least.
Chiellini or no Chiellini, Saturday will feature a classic battle between an Italian defense and a South American attack. It has potential to be nothing less than the game of the decade. Let’s all hope the Chiellini’s absence won’t stop it from living up to its potential.
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