Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has confirmed that midfielder Paul Pogba will resume first-team training tomorrow and could feature this weekend when the Bianconeri host Cagliari.
The goal is to have the France international ready to start next week’s crucial UEFA Champions League semi-final return leg against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Pogba hasn’t featured for Juventus since injuring his hamstring in their Champions League Round of 16 leg win over Borussia Dortmund in March.
Yesterday, Juventus shocked many experts by defeating the defending European and world champions in Turin, 2-1.
Despite solid performances from midfielders Andrea Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio, Stefano Sturaro and Arturo Vidal, Allegri seems eager to thrust Pogba back into his squad for the decisive match against Real Madrid.
The Juventus coach’s plan is to use Saturday’s match against Cagliari as a test to gauge Pogba’s fitness levels and build match rhythm, before ultimately making a decision on the amount of playing time the midfielder will see against Real Madrid next Wednesday.
However, legendary English footballer and ITV pundit Paul Scholes stated it would be a mistake to rush Pogba back into the team.
Scholes shared his thoughts on the possibility of Pogba’s return during ITV’s post-match coverage following Juventus’ 2-1 win over Real Madrid yesterday.
“I think it would be a little but rookie to bring Pogba back straight from injury, especially because Juventus played so well,” the former Manchester United midfielder said.
“I think Juventus have an advantage for the second leg, as well. They’ve already won the league of here and Madrid have a tough game at home [to Valencia].
“Juventus can afford to rest players at the weekend after winning the league. They can go into that game [against Real Madrid] nice and rested up next week.”
