Villarreal striker Gerard Moreno will definitely miss the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 against Juventus and is in doubt for the decider as well.
The 29-year-old centre-forward has been ruled out for at least three weeks after a relapse of a soleus muscle issue in his right leg, which has been repeatedly flaring up over the last few months.
He was already out for 35 days between late October and November with the same injury.
Tests ruled out any serious damage after he limped off against Real Betis, but Moreno is still expected to miss big games against Real Madrid, Granada, Espanyol and Juventus.
The first leg is in Spain at La Ceramica on February 22, with the decider at the Allianz Juventus Stadium in Turin on March 16.
This is a heavy blow for Villarreal, because Moreno is their top scorer this season with 11 goals and four assists in 19 competitive appearances.
Villarreal, tre settimane di stop per Gerard Moreno. Salta l’andata con la Juve https://t.co/ER9uqN3GZP
— Alfredo Pedullà (@AlfredoPedulla) February 9, 2022