Juventus' Andrea Pirlo will miss Champions League match vs. Borussia Dortmund

Juventus will indeed be without midfielder Andrea Pirlo for their biggest match of the season.

The club confirmed that the veteran midfielder will miss the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 clash with Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, having not fully recovered from the ailment that he suffered in the first leg of the tie three weeks ago.

"Andrea Pirlo also conducted tests today and, despite the good progress made after picking up a thigh injury in last month’s first leg against Dortmund, Wednesday’s game will come too soon for the midfielder. He will therefore remain in Turin to continue his individual rehabilitation regime," the club said in a statement.

There was hope that Pirlo, 35, would be able to recover in time for the contest, but manager Massimiliano Allegri will now have to comprise a plan to help his side reach the quarterfinals of the competition without the help of the bearded maestro.

With the trio of Paul Pogba, Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio assured of starting the match – barring unforeseen circumstances – Allegri's decision will likely hinge on whether Roberto Pereyra is inserted into the lineup, or if a switch to a 3-5-2 formation is best to get the necessary result in Germany.

Juventus won the opening leg of the tie 2-1 in Turin, and know that a draw is enough to get them into the next round of Europe's premier club competition.