This archive report was first published on 20 August 2019.
Italian football powerhouse Juventus announced on Monday that their coach, Maurizio Sarri, has been hospitalized with pneumonia, just five days before their opening Serie A match of the season.
According to the club, Sarri, 60, had been experiencing flu-like symptoms and was absent from the team's friendly match against third-tier Triestina on Saturday.
Although Sarri was present at the club's training centre on Monday, he did not conduct training on the pitch, instead coordinating the work of his staff.
Further tests confirmed that Sarri has pneumonia, for which specific therapy has been prescribed, as stated in a club statement.
The statement also revealed that Sarri had authorized the club to communicate his state of health, sparking concerns about his ability to take charge of the team at Parma on Saturday.
As the Turin side prepares to defend their eighth consecutive Serie A title, fans are eagerly awaiting news on Sarri's recovery and potential return to the pitch.
