SOUSA APOLOGISES TO JUVENTUS FOR SPORTING SNUB

Salernitana coach Paulo Sousa has apologised after Juventus coach Max Allegri accused him of being ‘disrespectful’ when suggesting Sporting CP would easily win the Europa League quarter-final.

The Portuguese tactician, who has a history at Juventus playing as a midfielder from 1994-96, was asked to comment on the upcoming Europa League clash by newspaper Record in his homeland.

Sousa told the media that considering Sporting had just eliminated Premier League leaders Arsenal from the competition, they could not realistically be worried about facing Juventus.

This understandably irked Allegri, who complained in his press conference that Sousa had shown a lack of respect for Juve and for his work.

“I am never banal when talking about football, I am not superficial,” replied Sousa to DAZN after Salernitana’s 1-1 draw with Torino.

“I have an opinion, I am a coach with thoughts. I am always polite and show respect for others. So if I did disrespect Allegri, then I apologise to him.”

The first leg of the Europa League quarter-final ended 1-0 to Juventus in Turin thanks to a Federico Gatti effort, but qualification is all to play for in the decider in Lisbon next Thursday.

Sporting CP held Arsenal to two draws in the Round of 16 and got through after a penalty shoot-out.