The three-headed monster that is the Juventus defense will be without Leonardo Bonucci, who has the most minutes of the three in both Serie A and the Champions League, for Juventus’ first leg match against Porto. The club has every right to believe that the strength of Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli in defense will be enough at Porto’s Estadio do Dragao, but the loss of Bonucci can only benefit the Portuguese club.
Bonucci will watch the match from the stands after an altercation with manager Massimiliano Allegri in last Friday’s 4-1 win over Palermo. Bonucci and Allegri could be seen arguing near the sidelines, Allegri reportedly calling Bonucci a "dickhead" with Bonucci replying “go to hell”, before sprinting down the tunnel at the final whistle while the rest of his teammates went to applaud the supporters at the Juventus Stadium.
Middle school is tough.
Here's the clip: Bonucci angry with Allegri's substitution, Max going nuts at him & Leo running straight into the tunnel at full time. pic.twitter.com/nBUVqff1kr
— Tarek Khatib (@ADP1113) February 20, 2017
“Bonucci’s going to be in the stands,” Allegri said. “After the game [on Friday] I played it down because nothing really happened, but out of respect for the fans and the club, it is only right that I make this decision, and that is that.
“This is a decision taken in agreement with the club. It was a scene which was not in keeping with my style and it is not on, particularly because it was seen by millions of children.”
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon voiced his support for the decision, citing earlier examples of insubordination from Paulo Dybala and Stephan Lichtsteiner.
“Not accepting the coach’s decisions well and having the wrong attitude is not something which leads you having a positive frame of mind,” Buffon said. “These are things that need to be kept in consideration when you are at a big club like Juventus.”
Bonucci has long been a target of both Chelsea and Manchester City, and this will only intensify speculation.
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