Giorgio Chiellini injury: Juventus defender to miss three weeks due to torn calf muscle

There's a saying that bad news comes in threes. This isn't anything that relates to another celebrity death, but when it comes injuries surrounding the Juventus roster as big games approach, it seems as though no news is good news. And, without exaggerating things too much, anything injury-related these days around Juventus is doom and gloom.

First there was the Mario Mandzukic-Kwadwo Asamoah double shot, which was followed up by Sami Khedira sustaining yet another injury that would keep him out another couple of weeks. Then, the confirmation of the news that we all figured would be coming about Martín Cáceres' Achilles tendon. So there's the three, and you figured we might get a chance to hear about good things, right? Wrong. Not with Juventus' injury situation this season.

From Juventus' official website:

Missing out on this morning's session was Giorgio Chiellini, who underwent a series of tests after departing the action towards the end of last weekend's clash at the Stadio Matusa. These revealed a torn soleus muscle in his right leg, an injury that is expected to keep him out for up to 20 days.

Yes, in hindsight, Max Allegri's decision to play Chiellini against Frosinone now looks like the wrong one. The risk turned out to be much greater than the reward, and now Juventus are going to deal with the consequences of it.

What will Allegri do because of this? That's what we're all wondering.

Some outlets amongst the Italian press is already thinking a 4-3-1-2 with Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli playing in the center of defense is in order for Saturday's first place vs. second place showdown with Napoli at Juventus Stadium. (For the future, too, I suppose.) And with only three healthy center backs, that is probably the wise thing to do. Others are sticking with the 3-5-2 formation as Allegri would likely choose Stephan Lichtsteiner as the starting RCB with Juan Cuadrado as the wingback on the right.

It's all talk at this point. And knowing how coy Allegri can be about his starting lineups during pre-match press conferences, maybe we'll have to wait until an hour before kickoff against Napoli to know for sure who's playing and what kind of formation they will be in.

Injuries, man. Injuries, injuries, injuries.