Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba’s eagerly awaited return to the starting lineup lasted only 24 minutes before being cut short by injury during the match against Cremonese in a disappointing turn of events.
The 30-year-old required immediate medical attention for his left thigh after experiencing discomfort while crossing the ball.
As Pogba left the field, visibly dejected, Juventus went on to secure a 2-0 victory. Manager Massimiliano Allegri expressed his disappointment, acknowledging Pogba’s promising performance prior to the injury.
“It’s a sad moment because he has made significant sacrifices to make a comeback,” lamented Allegri. “However, when you’ve been out of action for a year, starting a match always carries a certain level of risk.”
This marked Pogba’s first competitive start since his final game for Manchester United against Liverpool in April 2022. A calf injury from that match sidelined him for the remainder of the season.
Upon returning to Juventus in the summer, Pogba encountered another setback when he suffered a knee injury during pre-season. Initially hesitant to undergo surgery due to concerns about missing the World Cup in Qatar, he eventually had no choice but to undergo the operation. Although he rejoined the squad in January, another muscular problem further delayed his return to full action.
Pogba made his first appearance for Juventus in his second stint with the club on February 28. However, his journey faced more obstacles as he was dropped from the Europa League clash against Freiburg in March due to disciplinary reasons. In another unfortunate turn, he sustained a right thigh injury during free-kick practice.
Finally, on April 13, Pogba returned to the bench against Sporting Lisbon and has since made nine substitute appearances. His inclusion in the starting lineup against Cremonese was seen as a positive step forward.
Following Pogba’s premature exit, goals from Nicolo Fagioli and Bremer secured the victory for second-placed Juventus.
Meanwhile, Cremonese finds themselves in a precarious position, currently placed 19th in the standings, six points away from safety, with only three games remaining.
It remains to be seen how Pogba’s injury will affect his future performances and Juventus’ aspirations for the season.
