Chiellini out of crunch Bayern clash, Buffon doubtful

Italy centre-back Giorgio Chiellini is out of Tuesday’s winner takes all Champions League battle with Bayern Munich due to a calf injury, his club Juventus said on Monday.

Chiellini took a knock in Saturday’s top of the table 2-1 victory against Inter Milan and will likely be out for about three weeks, his club added.

Meanwhile goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, Italy’s number one, is rated as uncertain due to a fracture in his knee.

The 31-year-old has been putting off an operation all season on the same knee but felt pain following training on Monday morning.

Following an MRI scan he was diagnosed with the fracture, which could force him to go under the knife sooner rather than later.

Buffon had stated earlier this season that he would have an operation after last Saturday’s top of the table clash against Inter Milan, which Juve won 2-1, but he has now held on for Tuesday’s crucial encounter.

Bayern head into this final Group A clash a point behind Juve in the standings knowing they must win to progress, while group leaders Bordeaux have already qualified for the knock-out stages.

A final decision on Buffon’s fitness will be made following training on Tuesday morning but if he is ruled out Austrian Alex Manninger will take over between the sticks.

The former Arsenal stopper played 16 league matches and five Champions League games last season as he filled in for Buffon due to another injury.

Nicola Legrottaglie will replace Chiellini alongside Fabio Cannavaro in the centre of defence.

However Chiellini and Buffon have been the main rocks in Juve’s backline this season and if both were to be missing against Bayern, it would give the Germans a huge boost.