Federico Chiesa ruled out until 2022 with hamstring injury
By Tom Gott
Juventus have confirmed that winger Federico Chiesa suffered a hamstring injury in Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Atalanta which will rule him out for the remainder of 2021.
The Italian, who was battling muscle fatigue late in October, had looked uncomfortable in the weeks running up to Saturday's game and lasted just 45 minutes before limping down the tunnel at half-time and failing to return.
Juventus have now confirmed on their official website that Chiesa suffered a low-grade tear of his left hamstring and he is not expected to return until 2022.
That means Chiesa will miss at least five Serie A matches - against Salernitana, Genoa, Venezia, Bologna and Cagliari - while he will also be ruled out for the final Champions League group stage match against Malmo.
It's obviously an enormous loss for Massimiliano Allegri, whose side were already struggling even before losing their most influential forward.
Saturday's defeat to Atalanta left them eighth in the Serie A standings, 11 points adrift of leaders Napoli and AC Milan despite playing one game more.
On paper, you'd think that Juve might not need Chiesa for most of their games. Salernitana, Cagliari and Genoa are all currently in the bottom three, while Venezia and Bologna are both bottom-half sides as it stands.
Even in Europe, Juventus have already qualified for the knockout stages and they'll fancy their chances of beating a Malmo side who have taken one point from their five games. The Bianconeri must better Chelsea's result against Zenit to have a chance of qualifying in top spot.
Allegri may use some of those games to rest midfielder Weston McKennie, who was also diagnosed with a minor knee issue after the Atalanta game.
The American's condition will be monitored over the coming weeks, but the imminent trip to Serie A strugglers Salernitana could be a good chance to leave McKennie out.