MY ACCOUNT
Massimiliano Allegri is unsure when Paul Pogba will return to action following his most recent injury setback.
The France international has had a torrid time of things since returning to Juve from Manchester United last July, featuring for just 34 minutes across two substitute appearances.
Pogba appeared to have put his injury issues behind him when playing in back-to-back games against Torino and Roma on February 28 and March 5, both times as a substitute.
But he was dropped for Juve’s next match, a Europa League tie with Freiburg, due to turning up late for a team meeting.
The 29-year-old has not featured since, having sustained a fresh muscular problem while taking free-kicks in training.
Providing an update on Pogba’s fitness ahead of Juve’s return to Serie A action against Hellas Verona on Saturday, Allegri appeared to once again rule out the midfielder.
“At the moment, I don’t know when he will be available again,” Allegri said at Friday’s pre-match press conference. “He’s working, but at the moment it’s difficult to say.
“The adductor is fine, but we’re waiting to see how his knee will react after taking part in training.”
Allegri’s side were hit with a 15-point deduction in January, but they have won six of their past seven Serie A games to move back within seven points of the top four.
Juve have five league games in April, as well as a meeting with Sporting CP in the Europa League quarter-finals and the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final against Inter.
“Our aim is to win as many games as possible in order to have a wonderful May,” Allegri said of his side’s congested April programme.
“This is the schedule and we have to manage it the best way possible. We’re heading towards a beautiful but tiring end to the season and must continue playing with enthusiasm.”
