Juventus Federico Chiesa to undergo surgery after injuring ACL in Roma clash

Juventus forward Federico Chiesa will undergo surgery in a few days time on an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

The Italy international was hurt in the thrilling 4-3 Serie A victory over Jose Mourinho’s Roma on Sunday in the first half and was forced to leave the pitch after 23 minutes of play.

The winger suffered what Juventus medical team described as “a blunt trauma sprain” to his left knee, which left him requiring crutches to attend the club’s medical centre on Monday morning.

Juventus winger Federico Chiesa was injured in the Serie A clash with AS Roma on Sunday, January 9 2022. | PHOTO: Getty Images |

“The diagnostic tests performed this morning at J|Medical revealed an injury of the anterior cruciate ligament,” Juve’s statement seen by SportsLeo read.

“It will be necessary for the player to undergo surgery in the next few days.”

Chiesa is likely to miss the rest of the season in what is a huge blow to Massimiliano Allegri’s side who are currently fighting for a top-four slot as the scudetto race is almost out of hand.

The Bianconeri, who face Inter in the Supercoppa Italiana on Wednesday 12 January, are 11 points off the league-leading champions and three outside the top four.

They continue their Coppa Italia defence against Sampdoria next week, while their Champions League last-16 tie with Villarreal begins in February.

Chiesa was escorted off the pitch in the first half by Juventus medics after sustaining the injury in the clash with Roma. | PHOTO: Marca |

Chiesa’s injury is also a significant setback for Italy’s hopes of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup.

The reigning European champions face North Macedonia in the play-off semi-finals in March and will then meet either Turkey or Portugal for a place in Qatar in what is promising to be a thrilling playoff. Should they miss to make it to the World Cup group stages, it will be the first time in the country’s history that they are missing two consecutive world cups, having missed the 2018 tournament held in Russia.

Chiesa has four goals and two assists in 18 appearances for Juve in all competitions this season, his dynamic displays with the ball at his feet are often a notable bright spot in a difficult campaign for Allegri.

He has the most overall take-ons (68) and take-ons in the opponents’ half (51) of any Juve player this term, while his average carry progress of 7.8 metres per attempt is the best of anyone in the squad to make more than one appearance.

In total, 23 of his carries – where a player moves five metres or more with the ball – have ended in either a shot or a chance created. Among Juve players, only Alvaro Morata, who has played seven more matches, can better this figure (28).

Juve will announce the timeframe that the winger will be sidelined after the surgery is compelete.