Massimiliano Allegri claims Paul Pogba is not yet fit enough to play a full game, despite making a brief appearance as a substitute in the last match
Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri says Paul Pogba is not fit enough to play the full match when Juventus take on Sassuolo in the Serie A on Sunday, despite making a late substitute appearance in the midweek.
Pogba has been struggling with injuries since he rejoined Juventus from Manchester United last year and was unable to participate in the World Cup held in Qatar.
Paul Pogba has only played three times for Juventus this season, all of which have been as a substitute. In the midweek Europa League victory over Sporting CP, Pogba played for just five minutes.
Allegri believes that the upcoming game against Sassuolo is too early for Pogba to start, but he is still optimistic that Pogba can have a significant impact on the rest of the team’s campaign.
“Pogba is training well. Yesterday, he did 20 minutes of good training with the ball. Today, we see how he is,” Allegri told reporters.
“At the moment, he is not ready to play the whole game, but he can only improve, and I think he will be able to show us his quality – if not for the whole game, for the minutes in which he will play from here to the end of the championship.”
Allegri gives an update on Pogba and Szczesny’s injuries
According to the Italian tactician, Mattia Perin is expected to replace Wojciech Szczesny. Perrin is set to be between the stickers in Juventus’ upcoming game against Sassuolo. The Poland international goalkeeper will be rested after suffering chest pains during the Europa League game against Sporting CP.
“Perin is in excellent condition and has become an important goalkeeper“
Although Szczesny was given the all-clear by the medical team, Allegri still decided to rest him for the match.
“Today, I will talk to [Szczesny],” Allegri added. “If he is serene and calm. he can come with us and stay on the bench. so at least he will have a day of recovery and rest.
“Perin is in excellent condition and has become an important goalkeeper. Compared to when he arrived at Juventus, he has made progress and important improvements.
“He is one of the best goalkeepers there are for reliability and presence in the game.”
