Paul Pogba’s agent Rafaela Pimenta has commented for the first time since the confirmation of her client’s four-year ban over doping charges, Juventus legend Claudio Marchisio has launched his player agency, while the Old Lady and Serie A leaders Inter both received positive updates from their medical staff.
Serie A news round-up
Pogba was officially handed a four-year ban by the anti-doping tribunal in Italy on Thursday. He had failed a doping-test after Juve’s season opener against Udinese back in August, as he was found to have traces of DHEA in his system.
Pogba’s agent, Pimenta, has since commented for the first time, sharing a series of photos alongside the Frenchman on Instagram along with a caption, which included the words: “Wise beyond his years, clean to the soul. Through thick and thin.”
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Sassuolo confirmed the appointment of Davide Balladrini as head coach on Friday. He comes in as a replacement for Alessio Dionisi, who was relieved of his duties earlier in the week. Ballardini has 12 league matches remaining to guide the Neroverdi out of the Serie A relegation zone.
In other Juventus news, former midfielder Marchisio has launched his player agency alongside Alessandro Tocci. As per TMW, their initial list of clients include Newcastle goalkeeper Loris Karius, as well as young talents Davide Dell’Erba and Francesco Stante of Bayern Munich and Inter respectively.
Coach Massimiliano Allegri also received good news during Friday morning’s training session, as Federico Chiesa joined in with the rest of the first team squad, as did captain Danilo. They are both aiming for a return against Napoli in Serie A on Sunday.
Inter and Simone Inzaghi are also preparing to welcome a number of senior players back into the fold this weekend. Marcus Thuram and Francesco Acerbi could return to training on Saturday, while Hakan Calhanoglu is targeting a return to competitive action against Bologna next weekend. Davide Frattesi should be available for the Genoa game on Monday evening.
Aurelio De Laurentiis has been making his voice heard yet again, this time insisting that Juventus are undeserving of a place at the new FIFA Club World Cup tournament, which is set to begin in the summer of 2025.
The Partenopei patron believes that Napoli are the only team worthy of joining Inter in next year’s competition, due to their Scudetto win and Champions League run in 2022-23.
Finally, Lazio host Milan in the first match of the 27th round of Serie A fixtures on Friday evening. Click here to follow the latest updates from the Stadio Olimpico on the Football Italia liveblog.