COSTA BUTTS THEN SPITS AT RIVAL
JUVENTUS star Douglas Costa is expected to be hit with a hefty ban after butting an opponent and then spitting in his face during yesterday’s 2-1 Serie A win over Sassuolo. The game should have been remembered for Cristiano Ronaldo scoring his first two Juventus goals, but Costa’s late antics took the attention away from his team-mate. The Brazilian’s minute of madness came in stoppage time and began with him taking out Federico Di Francesco with a bad tackle, before elbowing him as they got to their feet. The referee allowed play to continue as Sassuolo were in possession and attacking. And indeed they went on to score, with Khouma Babacar heading in. As Sassuolo tried to rush the ball back to the centre circle to restart the game quickly, Costa and Di Francesco clashed again. This time Costa butted Di Francesco, before spitting at him from close range. Referee Daniele Chiffi sent off Costa after consulting VAR and the player later apologised for his ‘ugly’ behaviour. Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said afterwards the winger faces a fine, while also revealing his annoyance with the way his team played after going 2-0 ahead. ‘Even if he was fouled, these episodes must not happen,’ Allegri said. ‘We mustn’t fall for provocation. The game was winding down, we had it in the bag and, instead, we stopped playing as a team, everyone wanted to dribble a bit. ‘Then the other team gets back into the game, some players get irritated and that sort of thing happens.’ Allegri added: ‘It’s only right that Costa is fined, and he certainly will be. I was surprised by his reaction. We have suffered a goal, a red card and a suspension which will be long.’