With Juventus ready to play French side Monaco this afternoon, it appears as though midfield maestro Andrea Pirlo will return to action.
The 35-year-old has not played since injuring his calf in the first leg against Borussia Dortmund back in February. He missed the second leg plus six Serie A league games, but looks ready to return to the playing field.
Juventus underwent its final light training earlier this morning in Turin, and Pirlo was a part of the action, according to Football Italia. The Italian publication has an entire predicted lineup from allegedly watching this morning’s training, which puts Claudio Marchisio and Arturo Vidal alongside the bearded wonder.
The Bianconeri rested a host of players this weekend against Parma, and it cost them a 1-0 loss as not only Pirlo missed out but so did Carlos Tevez, Gianluigi Buffon, Alvaro Morata, Patrice Evra, and . The goal Juventus gave up was the first they’ve conceded since March 2.
Juventus is still without Paul Pogba, sidelined with a torn hamstring that may keep him sidelined until at least the end of April and potentially into May as well, meaning he would not only miss both legs of the quarterfinals, but potentially some or all of the semifinals should the Italian club advance. This could be a major factor in Massimiano Allegri’s decision to bring Pirlo back a hair sooner than expected.