Barzagli doubtful for Champions League final
Monday, May 25, 2015
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Juventus defender Andrea Barzagli faces a race against time to face FC Barcelona after tearing his thigh. Paolo Menicucci assesses what impact that could have.
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Juventus centre-back Andrea Barzagli is a doubt for the UEFA Champions League final against FC Barcelona after suffering a thigh injury in Saturday's 3-1 victory over SSC Napoli.
The on-song 34-year-old underwent an MRI scan this morning and the club confirmed that he has "a first-grade tear of the rectus femoris muscle in his right thigh". Juventus added: "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 UEFA Champions League final."
Barzagli resumed playing in March after recovering from a heel injury sustained at last summer's FIFA World Cup. The Bianconeri have not conceded in the UEFA Champions League this season in the 206 minutes the centre-back has been on the pitch.
Paolo Menicucci's view
His injury limits Massimiliano Allegri's options against FC Barcelona: a 3-5-2 with Barzagli or a 4-3-1-2 system without the Italian international were the main choices. Barzagli was terrific on Saturday as he kept Gonzalo Higuaín quiet in the first half against Napoli. Regardless of how Allegri opts to start, if Barzagli was available he will use the veteran at some point.
