Roma reeling as Pjanic ruled out of Barcelona clash

Roma have been rocked by the news that Miralem Pjanic will miss next week's Champions League clash with Barcelona through injury.

The midfielder was forced off in Bosnia-Herzegovina's Euro 2016 qualifier against Andorra on Sunday and the Giallorossi announced on Tuesday that the 25-year-old had suffered "a first-degree calf strain".

Although Roma did not disclose for how long Pjanic will be sidelined, he is expected to be out of action for at least two weeks, meaning he will be definitely be unavailable for Roma's September 16 showdown with reigning European champions Barca at the Stadio Olimpico.

The former Lyon ace will obviously also miss Saturday's Serie A trip to Frosinone and, most likely, the visit of Sassuolo on September 20 and trip to Genoa to face Sampdoria three days later.

Pjanic's injury is a major blow for Roma, with the influential playmaker having started the season impressively, netting the crucial opening goal in the 2-1 win over Italian titleholders Juventus on matchday 2 of the new domestic season.

After kicking off their Champions League campaign at home to Barca next week, the Giallorossi must then travel to Belarus on September 29 to take on BATE Borisov.