Reports say that Ángel Di María has asked not to be called up for the Juventus squad heading to Bologna, so Max Allegri has responded to those suggestions. “I need healthy players.”

The 2022 World Cup winner was not due to start at Stadio Dall’Ara as he played in the Coppa Italia semi-final loss to Inter on Wednesday night.

La Gazzetta dello Sport claimed that once Di Maria realized he was not going to be in the starting eleven, he complained of an ankle problem and asked to be sacked at his home in Turin.

“He had an ankle that hurt,” Allegri told Sky Sport Italia when asked about Di Maria’s concerns.

“When someone is 50-50 I leave them at home. I need healthy players on the bench. Di María is an important player for us.

The Bianconeri were beaten 1-1 by Bologna when Arkadiusz Milik disallowed Riccardo Orsolini’s opening goal, though Milik also saw a first-half penalty saved by Lukasz Skorupski.

Juventus will be next in action on Wednesday 3 May, hosting Lecce at the Allianz Juventus Stadium in Turin at 17.00:16.00 UK time (XNUMX:16.00 GMT).