Calf injury sidelines Chiellini

Defender Giorgio Chiellini will miss the opening weeks of Juventus’ pre-season due to a calf injury suffered at Euro 2012.

The centre-back picked up a knock in Italy’s 4-0 loss against Spain in the final of the European Championships, and was forced to leave the pitch after only 21 minutes of play due to the problem.

Chiellini, 27, has since undergone tests to determine the extent of the injury, and has been diagnosed with a second-degree calf strain.

“Giorgio Chiellini was today in Turin to undergo an ultrasound scan after picking up an injury during Sunday night’s Euro 2012 final against Spain,” Juve said in a statement.

“The defender has sustained a first-to-second degree tear of the medial gastrocnemius muscle in his left calf.”

The injury could keep Chiellini out of action for up to five weeks, meaning he could be in doubt for the Italian Super Cup season curtain-raiser against Napoli on August 11.