Andrea Pirlo out a month with bruised hip

Turin: Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo will miss the first month of the Serie A season because of a bruised right hip.

Pirlo was injured in a preseason match and Juventus says a medical exam revealed a pulled tendon that requires 30 days to heal.

Three-time defending champion Juventus opens the Italian league against Chievo Verona on Saturday.

While it remains unclear if the 35-year-old Pirlo plans to continue playing for Italy's national team, the injury prevents him from playing in a friendly against the Netherlands on Sept. 4 and a European Championship qualifier at Norway five days later.

Pirlo will also miss Juventus' Champions League opener.