Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri has played down Paul Pogba being dropped and fined after he missed the 1-0 win over Freiburg in the Europa League.
Fellow former Manchester United player Angel Di Maria scored the only goal of the game in Italy to give the hosts a first leg lead. Pogba, though, was not named in the 22-man squad due to disciplinary reasons.
The France international was late for a pre-match team meeting and left out of the squad by Allegri as a result. Pogba only returned from injury late last month and has made just two cameo substitute appearances before this indiscretion.
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Juventus chief football officer Francesco Calvo explained the decision. He said: "He arrived late, and players, especially the most important ones, must respect the rules. It was correct not to include him in the team and fine him."
Allegri moved to diffuse the situation following their win. Grinning, the manager joked: “I think Pogba arrived on time tonight, so he will be available from tomorrow."
Juventus are next in action on Sunday night when they welcome rock-bottom Sampdoria to Turin. in Serie A. It is a must win match for the Italians to keep alive their hopes of European qualification for next season. They currently sit seventh having been deducted 15 points by the Italian football federation earlier this year.
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