Paul Pogba has apologised to fans of Juventus after his injury-hit season took another turn for the worse.
The French midfielder rejoined Juve over the summer after his Manchester United contract expired. An injury suffered in pre-season meant he had to wait for his first appearance, though, with the setback also keeping him out of France's run to the 2022 World Cup final.
Pogba finally made his second debut from the bench against Torino in February, and also made a late cameo away to Roma. Injury has struck again, however, with a muscle problem keeping him out of Sunday's victory over Sampdoria.
Juve left Pogba out of their squad for the first leg of their Europa League tie with Freiburg after arriving late to a team meal. He could still have made his return against Sampdoria, were it not for the latest blow.
"Yesterday Pogba did a good training session, today he rested, tomorrow morning we will know if he is available," manager Max Allegri said ahead of the European tie. "Today he didn't work with the team. I think he's available, but we'll see." After the fresh injury, though, Allegri suggested Pogba will not be back in action until after the international break at the end of the month.
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According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Football Italia ), patience with the summer signing is starting to wear thin. And, in a video shared by Calciomercato, Pogba can be seen saying "Sorry, my head’s not in it.” upon being approached by fans outside Juve's medical centre.
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Paul Pogba is set for more time on the sidelines (@cmdotcom / Twitter)
Pogba has played just twice since returning to Juventus (Danilo Di Giovanni/Getty Images)Despite Pogba's absence, Juventus were still able to claim three points against a Sampdoria side struggling in the relegation zone. Allegri's team threw away a two-goal lead to go in level at half-time, but Adrien Rabiot restored their lead with his second of the evening before substitute Matias Soule made the points safe.
The Bianconeri's 15-point deduction means they remain outside the Champions League spots, though they would move second in the table if their appeal against the punishment is successful. They could yet qualify for the Champions League by winning the Europa League, with Angel Di Maria's goal giving them a narrow first-leg advantage over Freiburg.
“He is a player you enjoy watching, he has a different engine to the others," Allegri said of Rabiot after his two-goal display. "My idea today was to give Rabiot 60 minutes and Pogba 30, but then he got injured."
“This morning Pogba was taking free kicks and felt a twinge in his adductor. He will have tests tomorrow, but will certainly not be there on Thursday or next Sunday, so we’ll see him after the break for international duty.”
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