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Juventus' Chiellini to miss matches vs. Napoli, Bayern with calf injury

Reuters

Juventus has lost yet another starter to injury.

The club announced Tuesday that star defender Giorgio Chiellini will miss up to 20 days of action - including the marquee Scudetto clash against Napoli on Saturday and the first leg of the Bianconeri's last-16 Champions League tie with Bayern Munich on Feb. 23 - after tearing a muscle in his calf during last weekend's 2-0 win over Frosinone.

Chiellini joins teammates Martin Caceres, Kwadwo Asamoah, Sami Khedira, and Mario Mandzukic on the treatment table. Caceres is out for the rest of the season, while only Khedira has an outside chance of featuring in the games against Napoli and Bayern.

Juventus will have to rely on Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, and Daniele Rugani in defence for the majority of the month. Unless the 31-year-old Italy international Chiellini can recover ahead of schedule, he will not be available for Juve's crucial February fixtures.

Rugani, who replaced Chiellini in the 77th minute this weekend, will have an opportunity to gain more playing time after making just two Serie A starts this season.

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