:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/12765617/168101897.0.jpg)
Who knows what was going through Paul Pogba's head as he hocked a loogie in the direction of Sal Aronica in Sunday's Scudetto-clinching win over Palermo. But you had to think that he knew the hammer would come down on him once he was sent off short thereafter.
Indeed, Juventus' impressive 20-year-old midfielder won't be taking part in any more games this season, as he was hit with a three-match ban for his less-than-stellar reaction to a Aronica hand to the face in the closing minutes on Sunday. From juventus.com:
French international Paul Pogba is set to miss the remainder of this season's Serie A championship after he was given his marching orders in the closing stages of yesterday afternoon's 1-0 Scudetto sealing victory against Palermo.
However, the 20-year-old will be the only absence from the squad as Andrea Barzagli and Arturo Vidal, the other two players cautioned by referee Andrea Romeo, were not in danger of suspension.
The Chilean midfielder's booking raised his overall tally to 11, which means he joins the ranks of players currently one yellow card away from missing a week of league action. The list currently reads: Leonardo Bonucci, Paolo De Ceglie, Alessandro Matri, Simone Padoin, Federico Peluso, Andrea Pirlo and now, Arturo Vidal.
I can't say I'm all that surprised. Say what you want about other discipline events courtesy of the FIGC, but Pogba certainly got what he deserved. At first glance, it didn't seem like Pogba did a thing. Then, you see the replays a second time slowed down and you the spit take take place. And for a kid who has really impressed me with his attitude and character this season after he was late to practice earlier this year, this chain of events is definitely something he will have to learn from and never (EVER) do again.
On the bright side, you would think this means the end of the 3-5-1-1 this season. And seeing how unimpressive it has been since it's initial debut, maybe that will turn out to be a good thing.