Allegri adresses Pogba situation and Bonucci row
Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 16.09.23. | 11:07
Before the game with Lazio, Juventus coach had to talk about the non-football issues
Massimiliano Allegri and Erik ten Hag have one thing in common – their pre-game press conferences were occupied by questions non-football related. Everything else is different. Juventus don’t have such pressure as United. For starters, they are not participating in Europe, as they were punished by UEFA, and then, considering their financial situation, they are not expected to seriously challenge Inter, AC Milan or Napoli for the title. So, no pressure, unlike Manchester United. Still, they do have their off-the-field problems, like Paul Pogba and Leonardo Bonucci.
The former captain left the club for Union Berlin and then sued Juventus for ‘humiliating him’, after he was left out of the first team. Coach Allegri explained that the player was told back in February that his career in Turin was over, and he didn’t want to continue the discussion about Bonucci any further.
“There’s nothing more to say about Bonucci. I can only wish him good luck for his career inside and outside football. Soap operas are on Canale 5 and I am not a big fan. I wish good luck to Leonardo for the remainder of his career. He joined a Champions League club, so it will be important for him in terms of motivation. There is nothing more to add. Leao didn’t create an internal war. A decision was taken, as we said. It’s part of the course of life” said Allegri.
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His other problem is of course, Paul Pogba. Unlike Bonucci, who left the club, the Frenchman was brought in in 2022 as a big reinforcement, but due to injuries, played only 200 minutes. His latest blunder, a positive doping test, left him suspended for the game today against Lazio. Pogba’s second analysis will be carried out on October 5. The second test on sample B had been scheduled for September 20, but it’s been postponed due to the unavailability of the player’s consultant.
“He is suspended now, so we must wait until the end of the process. After the ruling, I can say what changes. At the moment, we know he won’t be available against Lazio and probably against Sassuolo. Then we’ll see. We are focused on what we have. We have an important game and we must face it in the best way. Pogba was a 30-year-old man when he returned. He suffered an injury and things did not go well. He put in all his commitment. He is a different player from the others, with all the respect due, as I already said in the past” said Allegri.
SERIE A - MATCHDAY 4
Saturday
16.00: (1.95) Juventus (3.50) Lazio (4.40)
19.00: (2.25) Inter (3.50) Milan (3.40)
21.45: (5.60) Genoa (3.70) Napoli (1.65)
Sunday
13.30: (3.00) Cagliari (3.35) Udinese (2.55)
16.00: (2.85) Frosinone (3.45) Sassuolo (2.60)
16.00: (2.20) Monza (3.35) Lecce (3.60)
19.00: (2.45) Fiorentina (3.40) Atalanta (2.85)
21.45: (1.45) Roma (4.30) Empoli (7.75)
Monday
19.30: (3.40) Salernitana (3.35) Torino (2.30)
21.45: (2.90) Verona (3.25) Bologna (2.70)
***odds are subject to change
