On Sunday, Juventus battled to a 4-3 win over Roma in a highly entertaining seven-goal thriller. However, the victory for the Bianconeri came at a huge price.
During the match, Federico Chiesa sustained an injury which forced him to be subbed off. Initially thought to be a minor knee sprain, the latest news from Italy shows the signs of something way more ominous.
The 24-year-old, who has been one of Juve's brightest stars since arriving on a two-year loan deal from Fiorentina last season, has reportedly sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). This means that he'll be out for the rest of the season, which comes as a huge blow not just for Juventus, but also for the Italian national team.
Despite a strong start, the Azzurri failed to clinch an automatic berth and now will have to fight for their spot at the upcoming World Cup via the play-offs. While Roberto Mancini's men are expected to easily dispatch Eastern European minnows North Macedonia, a sterner test awaits - especially with the possibility of taking on Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal in the finals. For Italy, this will be a must win series, especially after suffering embarrassment the last time they featured in a World Cup playoff, losing 1-0 to Sweden and thus failing to qualify for a World Cup in decades.
Meanwhile, Juventus have started to work their way up the table after a bad start, and now sit in fifth spot. Although the Bianconeri are well behind league leaders Inter, they do have a shot at securing a top fourth berth as they're only three points behind Atalanta.
However, Chiesa's absence will certainly weigh heavily on Massimiliano Allegri's mind, as Juventus are also set to take on reigning Scudetto champs Inter in the Supercoppa Italiana, as well as hope to progress in the Champiosn League when they face Villarreal in the round of 16 next month.
