Juve's Del Piero sidelined for five weeks

February 4, 2003
Reuters

MILAN - Juventus and Italy striker Alessandro Del Piero will miss his side's Champions League matches against Manchester United after being ruled out for at least five weeks with a thigh injury.

Del Piero suffered the injury in the final minutes of Sunday's 1-1 draw against Atalanta in Serie A.

There were fears that Del Piero might have ripped a muscle in his thigh and face months on the sidelines.

But Juve said tests on Tuesday had revealed only light damage and that he would be 'available to work with the team in around five weeks'.

The Italian champions face United at Old Trafford in Champions League Group D on February 19 with the return match in Turin six days later.

The Italy international striker could also miss the game against Deportivo Coruna on March 12.

Del Piero has put his fitness problems behind him this season and has been in fine form, scoring 12 goals in Serie A.
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