Pirlo Sidelined for '20 Days'

Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo will miss the upcoming league clash with Roma and could be a doubt for the second leg of a last 16 Champions League tie with Borussia Dortmund after being sidelined with a calf injury.

Pirlo hobbled off before half-time in Juve's 2-1 first leg win over the Germans on Tuesday after pulling up with a calf problem.

The 35-year-old Italy midfielder underwent tests which "revealed a first grade tear of the gastrocnemius muscle (calf) in the midfielder’s right leg," according to a statement by Juventus.

It added: "He is expected to be fully recovered within 20 days."

Juventus hold a nine-point lead over Roma ahead of their clash at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday, which could see the defending champions stretch their lead to 12 points.

Roma were firmly in contention for the scudetto up to the turn of the year but have been held to six draws in their past seven league games.

Rudi Garcia's side are now only three points ahead of Napoli, who are also targeting the league's second and last automatic Champions League qualifying place.

Borussia Dortmund, beaten Champions League finalists two years ago, host Juventus on March 18 at the BVB Stadion.