Paul Pogba in tears after suffering injury in first start in over a year for Juventus against Cremonese
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Updated 14/05/2023 at 22:40 GMT+1
Injuries have hit Paul Pogba hard in recent seasons and they struck again on Sunday evening as he was forced off after 24 minutes of the game with Cremonese. It was the France international’s first start in over a year, but he looks set for another spell on the sidelines after going down with what appeared to be a leg injury. Juventus face Sevilla in the Europa League on Thursday.
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Paul Pogba’s first start in over a year lasted a mere 20 minutes, as he went off in tears after picking up another injury in Juventus' Serie A clash with Cremonese in Turin.
The France international has endured a torrid time since making the move back to Juventus from Manchester United last summer, but things appeared to be turning in his favour when he climbed off the bench to create the team's leveller in the 1-1 draw with Sevilla in the Europa League on Thursday.
Seemingly coming out of the home draw with Sevilla in good shape, coach Massimiliano Allegri handed Pogba a first start in all competitions in 390 days.
Pogba made a bright start to the contest, but pulled up sharply 20 minutes into the match and went to the turf in distress.
As team-mates came to his aid, Pogba was visibly upset as he received treatment on a leg problem.
He walked from the field of play with 24 minutes gone, to be replaced by Arkadiusz Milik.
“We are all disappointed, especially as he was doing very well," Juventus head coach Max Allegri told DAZN.
"It’s sad as he made so many sacrifices to recover, now has to stop again after feeling that pain in the quadricep.
“Paul is a grown man, he has broad shoulders and can get over this too. It’s only natural there are risks after barely playing for a year and when making the first start, that is going to increase the probability of getting hurt. He was doing well, we are sad, but will wait for him.”
Juventus went on to win the game 2-0 thanks to goals from Nicolo Fagioli and Bremer. The victory cements Juve’s position in second behind champions Napoli.
With Juventus travelling to Spain to face Sevilla in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday, Pogba is a major doubt for the contest at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
He has played just 159 minutes for Juventus this season.
Pogba’s most recent start before this outing came for Manchester United against Liverpool in April 2022. The 30-year-old lasted only 10 minutes of that match before succumbing to injury.
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