Serie A: Juventus' Douglas Costa has already paid fine for spitting, says coach Massimiliano Allegri
Juventus forward Douglas Costa has already paid his fine to the Italian champions for spitting, coach Massimiliano Allegri confirmed on Saturday.
Milan: Juventus forward Douglas Costa has already paid his fine to the Italian champions for spitting, coach Massimiliano Allegri confirmed on Saturday.
Costa was banned for four Serie A matches, against Frosinone, Bologna, Napoli and Udinese, after aiming an elbow and a headbutt before spitting in the face of Sassuolo winger Federico Di Francesco in last weekend's league game in Turin.
The 28-year-old then picked up a sprained ankle and a right thigh injury in Wednesday's 2-0 Champions League win in Valencia, and will miss Brazil's friendlies next month against Saudi Arabia and Argentina.
File photo of Massimiliano Allegri. Reuters
Related Articles
"He paid his fine, was banned and he immediately realised his mistake," said Allegri without revealing how much Costa had paid.
"Now he is also injured. That is behind us now, so no more talking about Sassuolo."
Champions Juventus travel to promoted Frosinone on Sunday, just days after star striker Cristiano Ronaldo was controversially given a red card in the Champions League.
"Tomorrow, Ronaldo will give an excellent performance as he did in the first half hour in the Champions League," warned Allegri.
The Portuguese striker will be hoping to add to his first two goals scored last weekend, against the club who have the worst defense in the league with ten goals conceded in four games.
"The expectations on him are very high, but he does not have to prove anything," continued the Juventus coach.
"He needs only to continue to play, have fun and score, he is very demanding of himself.
"He is the best player in the world along with (Lionel) Messi and he brings a lot of added value to the squad."
Juventus are the only unbeaten side in Serie A having won all four of their matches, and have a two-point lead on Sassuolo, who are second after beating Empoli 3-1 on Friday.
Frosinone are second from the bottom of the league, with just one point, and are still waiting for their first goal.
"We know very well what we're up against and now they have Ronaldo who can do everything," said Frosinone coach Moreno Longo.
also read
Spanish government announces fines and stadium bans for supporters who racially abused Vinicius Junior
The sentences need to be ratified by the Spanish government after being announced by the country's National Sports Council, a body answerable to the Sports ministry.
Enzo Millot double helps keep Stuttgart in Bundesliga
Stuttgart secured their Bundesliga status with a 3-1 victory at Hamburg (6-1 aggregate) in Monday's relegation playoff return leg, ensuring another season in the second division for the fallen giants.
Lionel Messi confirms he will join Inter Miami in MLS as he snubs Barcelona, Saudi Arabia
The football world was eagerly awaiting Messi's decision after PSG confirmed this week the playmaker, widely considered the best player in the history of football, was departing.