LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Massimiliano Allegri acknowledges that Juventus took “risks” with Paul Pogba’s latest injury setback
The World Cup winner made his first start for club or country in 390 days on Sunday against Cremonese, when he was included from the beginning.
Pogba only played for 23 minutes before suffering a muscle injury that caused him to leave the field in tears. A subsequent stint on the sidelines will be filled by a player who has made just 10 appearances since joining Turin as a free agent from Manchester United in the summer of 2022.
Allegri told reporters after seeing a calculated gamble on Pogba backfire: “After the match with Sevilla I had decided to play him, I wanted to test him at the start of the game when the pace is different. “
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“We needed technique for a game where we were going to play in the opponent’s half of the field. It’s those movements that when you kick your quadriceps can suffer. We are all sad because he was doing fairly well.“
“He made a lot of sacrifices, and now he has to come back because he felt pain in his quadriceps. Paul is a grown man, he has three children and the broad shoulders to overcome this muscle injury. When you play a game from the start after so much, you increase the risk. We will wait for him.”
Pogba’s only solace as he prepares to return to the treatment area is that he has not injured the knee that need surgery soon after he completes his return to Juventus.
The 30-year-old must concentrate on getting back to full fitness in time for the 2023–24 season as Juve has just three more Serie A games left to watch along with a chance to win the Europa League. Pogba might not be seen again this season.
