Adrien Rabiot's controversial strike helped to spare Juventus' blushes as they beat bottom side Sampdoria 4-2 in Serie A.

The France international put his team 3-2 ahead in a tight contest at the Allianz Stadium with his second goal, despite appearing to control the ball with his arm before volleying in.

Gleison Bremer and Rabiot both scored headers to put Massimiliano Allegri’s side into a 2-0 lead, but Sampdoria responded by striking twice in as many minutes through Tommaso Augello and Filip Djuricic before half-time.

Rabiot restored the hosts' advantage after the break though and despite Dusan Vlahovic's missed penalty, Juve held out for an eighth-straight home win over the Blucerchiati as substitute Matias Soule added a late fourth.

Despite a nervy start, Juventus broke the deadlock after 11 minutes as Bremer towered above the defence to head home Filip Kostic's corner.

Another header doubled the hosts' lead in the 26th minute when Rabiot buried Fabio Miretti's inviting cross.

But Sampdoria – this season's lowest scorers in the top five European leagues before Sunday – responded five minutes later with Augello neatly guiding in Mehdi Leris' deflected centre.

And within 72 seconds, they were level as Djuricic arrived late in the box to steer home Alessandro Zanoli's low cross.

Juve controversially regained the lead in the 64th minute, the VAR awarding Rabiot a second goal despite the ball seeming to strike the midfielder's arm before he brilliantly volleyed into the top corner.

Vlahovic missed an opportunity to kill off the contest, his penalty striking the post after Augello felled substitute Juan Cuadrado, but the hosts did seal the points in stoppage time, Soule nodding in his first senior goal after Vlahovic's initial header was tipped onto the crossbar.

Paul Pogba's absence from the Juventus squad on Sunday came after he felt an adductor injury when taking free-kicks in training, according to Massimiliano Allegri.

Head coach Allegri explained Pogba's situation before Juventus faced Sampdoria on Serie A duty, at the end of a turbulent week for French midfielder Pogba.

The former Manchester United player has had a torrid time of things with knee and thigh injuries since embarking on a second spell at Juventus last July, appearing for just 34 minutes across two substitute appearances.

Pogba appeared to have put those issues behind him when briefly featuring in back-to-back games against Torino and Roma, but he was dropped for Thursday's match with Freiburg.

That was down to Pogba turning up late for a team meeting ahead of the Europa League tie, yet Allegri said on Saturday he would be involved against Sampdoria.

However, that plan changed on Sunday, dealing another blow to player and club.

Allegri told DAZN before kick-off: "This morning while he was taking free-kicks he felt discomfort in his adductor, he stopped.

"Tomorrow we will see the extent of the damage. Tonight he could have given us a hand, but we are waiting for him, it's a year like this anyway, these things happen in life too.

"He must be good and strong to get up and want to return to the player he was before."

Paul Pogba was not included in Juventus' squad for Sunday's Serie A meeting with Sampdoria in another setback for the midfielder.

The France international has had a torrid time of things since returning to Juve from Manchester United last July, appearing for just 34 minutes across two substitute appearances.

Pogba appeared to have put his injury issues behind him when featuring in back-to-back games against Torino and Roma, but he was dropped for Thursday's match with Freiburg.

That was down to Pogba turning up late for a team meeting ahead of the Europa League tie, but Massimiliano Allegri said on Saturday he would be involved against Sampdoria.

However, the 29-year-old was not included on the 21-man squad list published by Juve on Sunday, with reports suggesting he sustained another muscular injury in training.

Angel Di Maria, Federico Chiesa, Alex Sandro, Arkadiusz Milik and the suspended Moise Kean were the other notable absentees from the Bianconeri squad.

Allegri said on the eve of the game that goalkeeper Mattia Perin and forward Dusan Vlahovic would both start against Sampdoria at the Allianz Stadium.

Juve's loss to Roma last time out ended a four-game winning run in the Italian top flight, but a home match against bottom side Samp provided a chance to respond.

The Bianconeri had won their past seven home league meetings against Sampdoria, who went into Sunday's game with just two wins in 25 Serie A matches this season.

Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League last-16 exit has prompted speculation about a squad overhaul.

Neymar's future in the French capital is in doubt, while pressure has ramped up on head coach Christophe Galtier.

PSG will be an interesting watch during the next transfer window as they show their hand on their future direction.

TOP STORY – PSG PLOT MOVES FOR SILVA AND DEMBELE

Paris Saint-Germain are plotting off-season moves to sign Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva and Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele , according to Diario Sport.

The Parisiens are monitoring Dembele's status at the Blaugrana with only one year left on his contract, with a €50million release clause.

Barcelona have been linked with Silva but may struggle to facilitate that deal given €65m asking price, with PSG better placed to table that figure.

The report claims PSG's move for Dembele hinges on Neymar and whether he stays in Paris.

  
ROUND-UP

– AS reports Real Madrid are still angling to sign PSG's Kylian Mbappe after a long courtship. The report claims Los Blancos want to sign him as a free agent when his contract expires in 2024 and have prioritised him over Man City's Erling Haaland .

– Tottenham are ready to launch a move to sign Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford on a cut-price deal, according to The Sun. The report claims Pickford has a clause in his new Everton deal, signed last month, if they are relegated although the Toffees are understood to want around £35m.

– PSG are planning a bid for Villarreal defender Pau Torres in the next transfer window, reports The Mirror. Manchester United opted against signing him last year.

– Barcelona 's top priority in the off-season is to sign Athletic Bilbao defender Inigo Martinez , according to Sport.

– Calciomercato claims Milan have cooled their interest in Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita as his wage demands are beyond what they can offer.

– Bayern Munich continue to monitor the status of Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic , reports Calciomercato.

Massimiliano Allegri has confirmed Paul Pogba is part of his plans for Sunday's Serie A match against Sampdoria after being dropped in midweek for disciplinary reasons.

Pogba was left out of Juve's squad for their 1-0 Europa League last-16 first-leg win over Freiburg on Thursday after turning up late for a team meeting on the eve of the game.

However, having served his punishment, the 29-year-old will be back involved against Samp as Juve seek a return to winning ways in the league after losing 1-0 to Roma.

"Paul is available," Allegri said at Saturday's pre-match press conference. "Because he was late once, it doesn't mean we must keep punishing him."

Pogba has suffered multiple injury issues since rejoining Juve from Manchester United last July, restricting him to just 34 minutes on the field across two substitute appearances.

Asked if the France international is in line for his long-awaited second full debut for the Bianconeri on Sunday, Allegri gave little away.

"I haven't decided on the formation yet. There are only two players I know are definitely playing: [Mattia] Perin and [Dusan] Vlahovic."

Vlahovic has failed to find the net in his past four Serie A games, all as a starter – never before has he gone five in a row without scoring in the competition as a starter.

The Serbia international has also spent a prolonged period on the sidelines this season, but Allegri considers the forward back to full fitness.

"Dusan has completely recovered," Allegri said. "I know he's our only striker for tomorrow. I'm happy with his performance [against Freiburg] and now he's physically much better.

"I'm confident in him. All players go through moments like this in their career, especially strikers who are judged on goals."

Juve's loss to Roma last time out ended a four-game winning run in the Italian top flight, but a home match against bottom side Sampdoria provides a chance to respond.

The Bianconeri have won their past seven home league meetings against Sampdoria, who have won just two of their 25 Serie A matches this season.

"To many it may seem like an easy game, but going by Sampdoria's recent results, that can be deceiving," Allegri said. "They lost late on against Lazio and drew with Salernitana.

"It's important the team understands the importance of the match and that it must be faced with our full attention."

Manuel Locatelli saluted "phenomenon" Angel Di Maria, stating his Juventus team-mate is "in another category" after their narrow win over Freiburg.

Di Maria scored the only goal as the Bianconeri drew first blood in the opening leg of the Europa League last-16 tie, thumping home a header from Filip Kostic's 53rd-minute cross.

Following his hat-trick against Nantes in the previous round, the World Cup winner has now been directly involved in 10 goals in 2023 (scored seven, assisted three).

The 35-year-old revealed he is in talks with Juve over extending his 12-month contract, which expires at the end of the season, and Locatelli hailed his team-mate's influence on the side.

"Angel is a phenomenon, he's in another category, I think he's really a champion," the midfielder said. "For us, it's an honour to have him with us in training and in the game. We have to be thankful that he is here.

"We are only 1-0 up, today was only the first half, we must play a mature game there [in Freiburg next week]. The 1-0 may be enough, but we have to go there and play a great game.

Although they lead, Juventus will feel their advantage should be greater, having converted just one of their 20 shots on goal during the first leg.

Head coach Massimiliano Allegri has urged his players to demonstrate a greater clinical edge, though he also encouraged Dusan Vlahovic to stay patient with the striker now having gone five matches without finding the net.

"We have to improve in the number of goals scored," Allegri said. "We create enough, the [conversion] percentage is low. We need lucidity when we attack the area, we have to improve.

"I'm happy because physically Dusan is much better, he has to be calm. Maybe on Sunday [against Sampdoria], he will score."

Angel Di Maria revealed he is in talks with Juventus over a new contract after his header saw off Freiburg in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.

The Argentina international settled the opening leg at the Allianz Stadium when he powered home Filip Kostic's 53rd-minute cross for his fourth goal in this season's competition.

Di Maria, who also netted a hat-trick against Nantes in the previous round, has now been directly involved in seven goals in his last six European appearances.

The 35-year-old endured an injury-hit start to life in Turin after signing a 12-month deal last July, but has already registered 10 goal involvements in 2023 (seven goals, three assists).

Bruno Fernandes and Toulouse's Branco van den Boomen are the only other midfielders in Europe's top five leagues to hit double figures in the calendar year.

Di Maria's future is uncertain, but he said negotiations to extend his stint with Juve are ongoing.

"I'm happy to have helped the team, we are doing a good job and we must continue like this," he told Sky. "The important thing was to win, and we did it.

"We will do our best [to reach the final of this competition]. We will try to win both the Coppa Italia and the Europa League.

"We're talking, I'm happy here, and I'm finally feeling the affection of the people after a difficult start."

Allegri also hailed Di Maria's impact, while saluting his side's display ahead of the second leg in Germany next week.

"Tonight, [Di Maria] scored a wonderful goal but, above all, he gave an extraordinary performance.

"We played a very good match tonight, with great intensity and good technically. The only thing we missed too many times was the last pass. We could have chosen better and that made the difference.

"In Freiburg, it won't be easy, but the thing that makes me think positive is that they will give us spaces, and we will have to exploit them."

Angel Di Maria scored the only goal of the game as Juventus beat Freiburg in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 encounter.

Juve registered a whopping 20 shots at the Allianz Stadium, where Di Maria's second-half header Bianconeri gave them a slender lead in the tie.

The Argentina international continued to shine in this competition, having netted a hat-trick against Nantes in the previous round.

Freiburg, who saw their five-match unbeaten streak halted, must come from behind when the teams recommence battle in Germany next week.

Massimiliano Allegri's decision to drop Paul Pogba from the squad for disciplinary reasons dominated the build-up to what was Juve's first Europa League showdown against German opposition since they faced Borussia Dortmund in the 1994-95 semi-finals.

Pogba's fellow France international Adrien Rabiot almost opened the scoring when he drew smart reflexes out of Mark Flekken, who also kept out Juan Cuadrado's free-kick.

Bremer then somehow failed to find an open goal in the 31st minute, the defender heading over Di Maria's deep corner from just two yards out, while Cuadrado stung Flekken's palms once more before the break.

Juve eventually made the breakthrough eight minutes into the second half, when Di Maria powered home a header from Filip Kostic's centre.

Freiburg thought they had responded in the 62nd minute but, following a consultation with the VAR, Lucas Holer's wonderful volley was ruled out as Matthias Ginter handled in the build-up.

Vincenzo Grifo was then marginally off target with a free-kick that represented the visitors' only recorded attempt on goal, as the Serie A side saw out a narrow victory.

Paul Pogba has been dropped by Juventus for Thursday's Europa League clash with Freiburg in Turin.

The France international was reportedly late for a team meeting on Wednesday and was not included in Massimiliano Allegri's squad when it was circulated on the morning of the last-16, first-leg tie.

Pogba has endured a miserable start to his second spell with Juve after re-joining the club from Manchester United last July.

The 29-year-old midfielder has suffered with multiple injuries and had to wait until February 28 to make his second debut, coming off the bench in the 4-2 derby win against Torino and also appeared as a late substitute in Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Roma.

Thursday's game against Bundesliga club Freiburg had been earmarked as one in which he could make a long-awaited start with Allegri outlining his optimism at the pre-match press conference.

However, widespread reports in Italy have suggested Pogba was late to a team meeting 24 hours before the game with Allegri subsequently opting to leave the player out completely.

Paul Pogba's fitness will be assessed ahead of Juventus' Europa League meeting with Freiburg on Thursday, with the midfielder still eyeing his first start since his Bianconeri return.

Pogba made his long-awaited second Juve debut in a 4-2 win over cross-city rivals Torino last month after enduring several injury setbacks since re-joining from Manchester United last July.

Having appeared from the bench in that fixture, the France international did likewise in Sunday's demoralising 1-0 defeat at Roma in Serie A.

Asked if Pogba could make his first start of the season when Juventus host Freiburg in the first leg of their last-16 tie, boss Massimiliano Allegri was hopeful but uncertain.

Allegri said: "Yesterday [Tuesday] he did a good workout, today [Wednesday] he was separate from the group. Tomorrow [Thursday] morning we'll understand if he can be available.

"He didn't work with the team [on Wednesday]. I think he will be available, but we'll see."

An Angel Di Maria hat-trick fired Juve past Nantes in the last round of the competition, delivering a 3-0 away win after the Bianconeri toiled to a 1-1 draw at home to the French side.  

With Freiburg one of just three teams to go unbeaten in the Europa League's group stage this term (also Real Betis and Fenerbahce), Allegri is aware of the need for an improved home display.

"We want to lay the foundations for the second leg," he said. "They are physically strong, they are fifth in Germany, they are unbeaten in Europe. 

"We have to go back to winning at home – in the Champions League and in the Europa League we only got one win [at the Allianz Stadium this season].

"So we'll need attention, otherwise we'll have to do the same as against Nantes. We have to win on Thursday, whether it's by one or two goals – it won't be easy, it will be balanced."

Juventus will be able to draw on the experience of Filip Kostic, a Europa League winner with Eintracht Frankfurt last season, and the Serbian says lifting Europe's secondary club trophy is now the team's foremost aim.

"I know the competition, I won it with Eintracht – it was our dream to win the Europa League. With Juventus it's different, the goals were different, but now we want to win it," Kostic said.

"They are a tough, compact, solid opponent. To win this Europa League – which is our main objective – we will have to overcome them. We want to get as far as possible and we go game by game."

Mason Mount's future at Chelsea remains uncertain, with his current deal due to expire in 2024.

Mount has rebuffed multiple contract offers from the Blues, prompting speculation he could move on.

Chelsea are determined to hang on to the 24-year-old but if they cannot, the optimal time to sell may be at the end of this season.

TOP STORY – MAGPIES TO RIVAL REDS IN MOUNT RACE

Newcastle United will join the pursuit to sign Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount at the end of this season, claims the Daily Mail.

Liverpool have been linked with Mount given his contract status, but the Magpies could rival that interest given their deep pockets.

Financial Fair Play rules may limit Newcastle's ability to land Mount having spent £165million this season on Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, Sven Botman and others.

ROUND-UP

– The Sun claims Arsenal's top two priorities for the off-season are signing Napoli forward Victor Osimhen and West Ham United's Declan Rice. The Nigerian, who has interest from Manchester United too, wants to play in the Premier League one day.

– Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool all retain interest in Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo despite penning a new deal until 2027 last week, claims Football Insider. According to the report, Brighton's asking price is upwards of £90m.

– Footmercato reports Real Madrid head of recruitment Juni Calafat met with Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham at a London hotel on Tuesday, as numerous clubs circle for the England international.

– Liverpool sent scouts to watch coveted Benfica defender Antonio Silva and midfielder Florentino Luis last Friday, claims 90min. Real Madrid have been linked with Silva, while Tottenham have a reported interest in the pair.

– Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham are all proactively keeping tabs on Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot's situation and availability, claims 90min.

– Bayern Munich will not sign Joao Cancelo permanently after this season, instead letting him return to Manchester City upon the conclusion of his loan spell, according to Calciomercato.

Jose Mourinho is bullish about Roma's prospects of a top-four finish in Serie A but acknowledged his team are unpredictable after their victory over Juventus.

Gianluca Mancini's second-half strike made the difference for the Giallorossi as they seized a 1-0 win over the Bianconeri at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.

The result moved Roma into the top four, edging out Milan with a superior goal difference, and puts them in the mix for Champions League qualification.

When asked if his team can secure a place in Europe's top continental competition, Mourinho was at pains to point out they must show consistency in their quality first.

"The problem is that you never know how Roma will play," Mourinho told DAZN. "We have to know our limits. At that point, we can play to win and bring home the result.

"In isolated matches, we can do well against everyone. But any championship is a marathon. We must always give everything to bring home the result.

"We won because the players gave 100 per cent. They won the match, not my tactical organisation. Juventus are very compact, and it was important we kept the ball."

Mourinho was poised to miss the match from the sidelines after he was handed a touchline ban, though it was suspended ahead of the fixture.

Asked whether he expects to serve it next week, the Portuguese coach sidestepped giving a direct opinion, saying: "There is a process, and until it is finished, I don't want to say anything."

Juventus ended the game with 10 men after Moise Kean was shown a red card inside a minute of his arrival late on for kicking out at Mancini.

Visiting head coach Massimiliano Allegri said he had accepted an apology from the Italy international, adding: "He made a mistake and he is sorry.

"He put the team in a difficult spot. Lessons must be learned from these things, and he had a wrong reaction. Maybe he was nervous."

Gianluca Mancini's thunderous strike moved Roma up to fourth place in Serie A with a 1-0 victory over Juventus at Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.

The centre-back's rasping second-half drive sealed three precious points, boosting Roma’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.

After a week dominated by off-field headlines for head coach Jose Mourinho and former Juve playmaker Pablo Dybala, the Giallorossi claimed what could prove to be a huge victory.

Defeat will be a bitter pill to swallow for Massimiliano Allegri's Juve side after a performance in which they will feel they did enough to earn a point and Moise Kean was sent off in the closing stages, less than a minute after coming on, for kicking out at Mancini.

Knowing victory would edge them above Milan and into the top four on goal difference, Roma sought to impose themselves upon their visitors early on.

Yet Juventus were stubbornly defiant in front of a partisan crowd, and did their best to take the initiative themselves.

It was the Bianconeri who came closest to a breakthrough in the first half, when Adrien Rabiot saw his header saved by Wojciech Szczesny near the left post in the 43rd minute.

Emboldened by their support from the stands, the hosts broke the deadlock eight minutes after the interval, with Mancini letting fly from long range with his right foot and giving Szczesny no chance.

Juan Cuadrado almost levelled matters on the cusp of the hour with a superb free-kick that struck the post.

Juve were unable to salvage a point and Kean was shown a straight red card for lashing out at Mancini soon after coming on, adding insult to injury.

Jose Mourinho has been cleared to take charge of Roma's Serie A match against Juventus on Sunday after his two-match touchline ban was suspended.

The 60-year-old was sent off for the third time this season just two minutes into the second half of Roma's 2-1 loss at Cremonese on Tuesday.

Mourinho clashed with fourth official Marco Serra and was sent to the stands, before continuing to argue his case when entering the officials' dressing room after the match.

He was hit with a two-match suspension and a €10,000 fine on Wednesday, which would have seen him miss games against Juve and Sassuolo, but Roma lodged an appeal.

The Italian Football Federation's appeals committee announced on Saturday that the punishment has been suspended ahead of a further hearing taking place next Friday.

After the loss to lowly Cremonese, who won their first Serie A match in 26 years, Mourinho defended his actions that saw him sent off for an altercation with the fourth official.

"I'm emotional but not crazy. For the first time in my career a referee has spoken to me in an unjustifiable way," he said.

"To have the reaction I had is because something happened. I need to know now if I can do something from a disciplinary point of view."

Roma are fifth in Serie A ahead of the visit of Juve, who are nine points worse off in seventh after being hit with a 15-point deduction in January.

Massimiliano Allegri believes Juventus qualifying for the Champions League after being deducted 15 points would be akin to winning three Serie A titles.

Juve have earned 50 points this season, which would be enough to have them second in the table had they not been punished for past financial dealings.

Instead, they are back on 35 points, 12 points outside the Champions League places in seventh.

That remains the Bianconeri's unlikely aim, but Allegri was keen to outline just how difficult their task is ahead of Sunday's game at fifth-placed Roma.

"Perhaps my words have been misrepresented," Allegri said. "I said that the Champions League chase is an impossible, difficult thing.

"That said, the team at the moment has made 50 points. On the field, we are doing well and we must continue.

"Even among those in front, one will miss out between Inter, Milan, Lazio and Roma. One is left outside, and there is also Atalanta still behind who have the possibility to return.

"There are 42 points at stake, right? Everything is still to be played, so we have to take one step at a time. We can't look too far ahead, and we have to work for 'mini' goals."

However, Allegri was then asked what the scale of that achievement would be. Is it similar to winning a Scudetto?

"Going with minus-15 into the Champions League is not like winning a Scudetto," he replied. "It would be like winning three."

Juve have won six of their past seven away Serie A games and three of their last four league matches against Roma.

The Giallorossi face being without Jose Mourinho following a suspension due to his red card in their previous game.

But Allegri said: "I would be sorry if he wasn't there. I hope to see him on the pitch.

"In my opinion, once the coach is thrown out of the game, you can give him a fine, then the next time he has to be on the bench. With fines, you can maybe help those in need."