MATT KREMKAU - EMPIRE OF SOCCER

by CHRISTIAN ARAOS

Andrea Pirlo’s injury concerns are very real.

The New York City FC midfielder did not train outdoors Wednesday and has been sidelined since last Friday with an injured calf. Although head coach Patrick Vieira said Pirlo was held out of the First Leg as more of a precaution, he admitted that Pirlo’s MRI results raised concerns.

“There are some things there,” Vieira said, “but we just have to keep working on him and see how he progresses day-after-day.”

Wednesday was the first day of training for NYCFC after Sunday’s match and Pirlo was the only player not participating. Pirlo did recovery work indoors and Vieira said he hopes that Pirlo will be able to train outdoors for some of tomorrow’s session.

“Hopefully if we follow the program well, he should be training by the end of the week,” Vieira said.

Should Pirlo not be available, Vieira will have to consider his options in midfield. Vieira said Frank Lampard and the rest of the team are fully fit. He said Mikey Lopez played well in midfield in the First Leg but stressed that he has not decided on a starting eleven. David Villa took set pieces for Pirlo last Sunday and it is likely that he would do so again if Pirlo cannot play.