Chiellini facing three-week injury lay-off
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
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Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini will be out of action for around three weeks after suffering a "first-degree strain to his right thigh" in Juventus's final league match of the season.
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Giorgio Chiellini's fears of missing UEFA EURO 2012 have abated after the Italy defender was told that he will be sidelined for approximately 20 days by the "first-degree strain to his right thigh" sustained at the weekend.
The centre-back underwent a scan after suffering the injury during Juventus's 3-1 victory against Atalanta BC that ensured the Turin team finished the Serie A campaign unbeaten.
The 27-year-old, who appeared in 34 of La Vecchia Signora's 38 league games as they finished with the best defensive record in the division, will miss Sunday's Coppa Italia final against SSC Napoli.
Despite the injury, Chiellini, who made seven of his 50 Azzurri appearances in an impressive UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying campaign in which Cesare Prandelli's side conceded just twice, is expected to recover in time for their first game in Poland and Ukraine.
Italy open their campaign against world and European champions Spain on 10 June before taking on Group C rivals Croatia four days later and the Republic of Ireland on 18 June.