After the hat-trick in Nantes, Di Maria is still dragging Juve in the first leg of the Europa League against Freiburg. His was the winning goal that splits a game dominated by the black and whites but held in balance by the German defense until the start of the second half, when a precise cross from Kostic caught Fideo free in the penalty area: header under the crossbar and Juve ahead. Szczesny risks practically nothing, the only thrill is a goal disallowed by Holer due to an assist from Ginter’s hand, but an important response arrives in Europe after the misstep in Rome, even without Pogba (punitive tribune) and with Vlahovic still dry Juve brings home the first leg of the round of 16 against the fifth strength of the Bundesliga. In the first half Juve started like a rocket, Di Maria dictated the times in attack and Locatelli dominated the midfield, but didn’t find the winning paw.
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Vlahovic does not turn and Freiburg defends with order, in the second half the bianconeri raise the pace, then manage the advantage without danger, but close with a series of ailments to be evaluated in view of Sampdoria: Alex Sandro goes out after 23 minutes with a muscle problem accused after Roma, in the final match discomfort to the flexors for Di Maria, while Chiesa is the one who worries the most: on the pitch he accuses a problem with his right knee, but Allegri has run out of substitution slots, and so he is forced to stay on the field until the triple whistle. Pogba, on the other hand, is officially a case, excluded by Allegri for being late, fined and in the stands to watch the match while he would have started from the bench. “He arrived late for yesterday evening’s meeting – explains Max -, I think that out of respect for the group it was right to send him home and have him rested for Sunday”. The manager of the sports area Francesco Calvo also follows the same line: «There are rules, discipline is fundamental, we expect him to set an example. It was a natural and spontaneous choice. Then the fine will start.”
