Di Maria REFUSES to play for Juventus?

Carlo Garganese

• 30 Apr 2023 18:15 BST
• 3 min read

The crisis at Juventus has deepened after reports emerged that Angel Di Maria refused to play for the club on Sunday.

The Bianconeri are taking on Bologna away from home in a must-win Serie A match on Sunday evening.

Gazzetta dello Sport and Tuttosport, among others, report that Di Maria withdrew from Juventus’ squad for the game after learning that he wouldn’t be starting.

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Officially, Di Maria is out with an injury but the newspapers claim there is serious doubt whether the Argentine really is hurt as he had no problems until he learned he wasn’t playing.

This is just the latest controversy to hit Juventus in what has been a disastrous season on and off the pitch.

Manager Max Allegri is deeply unpopular with fans, with a social media campaign this week spreading among fans for him to be sacked.

La Stampa reported earlier this week that Dusan Vlahovic will quit the club this summer if Allegri stays, while there are also rumours of discontent between the manager and Federico Chiesa.

Juventus in crisis

Juventus are in the midst of a terrible run of form, winning just one of their last eight games and losing three on the bounce in Serie A.

They were knocked out of the Coppa Italia semi final by rivals Inter in midweek and face a fight to qualify for the Champions League through the league. They are still in the Europa League, playing Sevilla in the semi-finals.

But there is also strife off the pitch. Juventus had 15 points deducted earlier this year for the plusvalenze scandal but have had the points provisionally handed back to them. They are also being tried for allegedly paying players off the books during Covid.

Di Maria joined Juventus on a free transfer last summer. He struggled for form and fitness before the World Cup but had been in great form after returning from Qatar. Di Maria has then seen his performances dip recently with no goals or assists in eight matches.