Serie A

LEONARDO BONUCCI is “set to sue Juventus” following his summer exit, according to reports.The veteran defender left Juve to join German side Union Berlin.
Leonardo Bonucci signed for Union Berlin over the summerCredit: Getty
Bonucci, 36, believes that his treatment from Juve during his final months in Turin led to him suffering “professional and image damage”.
According to Italian reporter Gianluca Di Marzio, the centre-back is now set to take legal action against his former employers.
The Italy star claims that he was not given appropriate conditions for training and preparation ahead of his Juventus exit.
Bonucci alleges that he was not given access to the Serie A club’s gym, swimming pool or restaurant.
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And he adds that he was made to train away from the rest of the squad.
The Euro 2020 winner is alleged to not be seeking personal gain from the legal action, and sees it more as a matter of principle.
It’s claimed that any money he is awarded will go to children’s hospital Neuroland.
Prior to leaving Juventus, Bonucci hinted that he will retire in 2024.
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He told the club’s YouTube channel: “When I stop playing next year, it will be the end of a defensive era.”
Bonucci then paid tribute to fellow Juventus legends Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli and Gianluigi Buffon, adding: “I hope lots of future defenders, just as we had [Franco] Baresi, [Paolo] Maldini, [Alessandro] Nesta, [Fabio] Cannavaro, will see us four as idols.”
The 121-cap star initially joined Juventus from Bari in 2010.
He played for Juve for seven years during his first stint, before spending the 2017-18 season at AC Milan.
Bonucci returned to Juventus in 2018, spending a further five seasons in Turin.

He played 502 times for the Old Lady, winning eight Serie A titles and four Coppa Italias.
The decorated defender was an unused substitute during Union Berlin’s 3-0 defeat to RB Leipzig prior to the international break, and is yet to make his debut for the Bundesliga side.
Bonucci, 36, won numerous trophies with JuventusCredit: Getty More

PAUL POGBA has reportedly tested positive for doping.Corriere Della Serra claims traces of testosterone were discovered in Pogba’s system following Juventus’ first game of the new season.
Paul Pogba has reportedly tested positive for testosteroneCredit: Getty
Neither Pogba or Juventus are yet to comment.
The former Manchester United midfielder, 30, was an unused sub in his side’s 3-0 win against Udinese last month.
Testosterone is a hormone which can increase muscle strength and is found in various over-the-counter products at pharmacies.
If found guilty of doping, Pogba faces a ban of up to two years.
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And if a tribunal finds him guilty of taking the product intentionally, a ban could last up to four years.
Pogba rejoined former side Juventus in a free transfer last summer following the expiration of his Man United contract.
But injuries limited him to just ten appearances in all competitions.
He’s featured twice from the bench this term since sitting out the Udinese win.
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Pogba’s last appearance came earlier this month in Juventus’ 2-0 win at Empoli.
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NAPOLI have blasted reports of contract renewal talks with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as “bulls***”.The Georgian star burst on to the scene last season, helping to inspire Napoli to their historic Serie A triumph.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is yet to score this seasonCredit: Rex
He has had a quiet start to this season, however, leading to some dramatic reports in Italy.
Over the weekend it was claimed that Napoli chief Aurelio De Laurentiis had snubbed a meeting with Kvaratskhelia’s agent Mamuka Jugeli – with contract talks in limbo.
Napoli have since taken to social media to strongly condemn these reports, claiming that there have been no contract talks and that stories have come solely from their star man’s agent.
Posting in Italian to their 2.1million Twitter followers, Napoli wrote: “Some media continue to tell, having the footballer’s agents as their only source, of alleged negotiations in progress for the renewal of Kvaratskhelia.
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“It’s about “bulls***”.
“No one from Napoli has ever talked about the possible renewal of the player (whose contract expires in 4 years).
“Neither Mauro Meluso, nor Maurizio Micheli, nor Aurelio de Laurentiis, nor Andrea Chiavelli did it.”
Kvaratskhelia joined Napoli from Georgian side Dinalo Batumi last year for a fee in the region of £10million.
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He penned a five-year deal with the Italian giants, running until June 2027.
The 22-year-old scored 12 Serie A goals last season, also laying on a further 13 in 34 appearances.
He did not score in their last 11 matches last term, however, and has so far failed to net this time around.
Kvaratskhelia was linked with Newcastle and Arsenal earlier this summer.
His agent Jugeli insisted earlier this year that there was no rush to get a renewal done.
He said: “We are not in a hurry either. Khvicha likes everything about Naples and for the moment there is nothing.
“If we decide something, Giuntoli (former Napoli director) will be the first to know.”
Kvaratskhelia, 22, has been a revelation at NapoliCredit: Rex More

FORMER Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri stuck his middle finger up at a fan in response to them shouting “forza Napoli”.The ex-Blues boss has been in charge of Serie A side Lazio since 2021.
Maurizio Sarri heard the Napoli chant as he walked pastCredit: Twitter / Anperillo
He proceeded to stick his finger up at the individualCredit: Twitter / Anperillo
The Italian, 64, previously coached Napoli for three years between 2015 and 2018.
But he did not take kindly to someone shouting the words “forza [force] Napoli” at him as he walked past.
Immediately after hearing the phrase, Sarri swiftly turned and put his middle finger up at the fan.
Responding on social media, one person simply reacted said: “Only Sarri.”
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While another added: “Only in Italy 😂.”
Lazio have suffered a poor start to the season under Sarri, losing back-to-back games against Lecce and Genoa.
But they enjoyed an impressive 2022/23 Serie A campaign, finishing second behind runaway champions Napoli.
They have also been drawn in an open Champions League group alongside Feyenoord, Atletico Madrid and Celtic.
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Sarri spent just one season in charge of ChelseaCredit: PA:Press Association
Sarri only had one year coaching in England with Chelsea, winning the Europa League in his final game in charge.
Under the Italian, the Blues finished third in the Premier League and lost the Carabao Cup final to Manchester City.
It was a game infamous for Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga refusing to come off when Sarri attempted to substitute him.
After departing Chelsea in 2019, Sarri joined Juventus and led them to the Serie A title in his first and only season in charge.
He then took over at Lazio in 2021 and has led them to fifth and second place finishes. More