Tottenham Hotspur’s Champions League clash with Juventus is just a month away and the Italians have suffered a major scare on Saturday night. Star attacker Paulo Dybala was forced off in the second half of his side’s 1-0 win at Cagliari in clear distress, with head coach Massimiliano Allegri later admitting that they were unsure about the severity of the problem.
Tests carried out early on Sunday have shown that the Argentine hitman has damaged a flexor muscle in his right thigh, with Juventus unwilling to estimate his recovery time at least until next week, although his time on the sidelines is being believed to be around 30-40 days.
Juventus have issued a statement on Dybala’s condition, showing that they are taking the injury seriously.
Their official website read: “Paulo Dybala underwent an MRI at J|Medical this morning which showed a mild to medium strain to his right thigh flexor. He will immediately start rehabilitation with the prognosis for return better evaluated in the coming days.”
According to famous Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Dybala is expected to miss four to six weeks due to his aforementioned hamstring injury.
“While Juventus won yesterday’s match against Cagliari, they also received some bad news concerning Paulo Dybala,” Di Marzio said.
“The Argentine striker suffered a muscular injury during the match, and he’s expected to be out for 30 to go 40 days.
“Dybala didn’t leave for vacation and will instead rehab in Turin during the Serie A winter break, he’ll be evaluated on a daily basis with the goal of getting him back before the Champions League match on February 13th.”
That would put Dybala in doubt to feature against Tottenham in the Champions League, with that fixture scheduled for February 13. Hamstring injuries can take weeks and even months to heal and while it is likely that the diminutive Argentine will be fit for the second leg in March, he faces a battle to be fit for the home leg in Italy in a month’s time.
The injury to Dybala, who has scored 14 goals in 19 Serie A games this season, comes as a big boost to Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs. Although the former Palermo forward has blown hot and cold this season, he remains a threat alongside his compatriot Gonzalo Higuain.
But with Dybala in a race to be match fit for the Champions League last-16 first-leg clash at Turin, Pochettino would hope his side gets a crucial away goal before hosting the Italian giants at Wembley on March 7.
