Paul Pogba has made his second debut for Juventus… 315 days after the last official match.
The Frenchman ended his time at Manchester United when he suffered a calf injury in April’s 4–0 win over Liverpool.
He then rejoined Juve on a free transfer in 2016, when the Red Devils paid him a fee of €105 million.
But before his second Old Lady debut, he suffered a devastating knee injury.
The 29-year-old Pogba underwent surgery on his right knee last September, leaving him unable to defend his French colors at the World Cup.
In the meantime, Juventus were eliminated in the Champions League and were deducted 15 points in Serie A for transfer fraud.
He briefly returned to training last month and was in Juve’s 2–0 defeat against Monza on 29 January to warm up with his new team-mate.
And now, Pogba is finally fully recovered and called up for tonight’s Turin derby against Torino.
He came on for Enzo Varenetcha in the 69th minute when the score was tied 2–2.
Two minutes later, Greyson Bremmer made it 3–2 and Adrien Rabiot made it 4–2 in the 80th minute.
Massimiliano Allegri said of No. 10: “He’s doing well, he’ll be called tomorrow.
“Tomorrow, if he is needed, he will use him.
“To say that Pogba, who has not played in 315 days, can start for Juventus is the same for [Federico] Chiesa, who has been absent for 10 months. We need to be patient.”
On what to expect from Pogba, he said: “I’ve talked to him like I’ve talked to other players.
“He has to understand that this is an important time to get back in shape and he has to have the motivation to do well and reach out to us until the end of the season.” he continued.
Juventus enter tonight’s match in eighth place in Serie A, 13 points behind the top four due to penalties.
They will soon return to European competition as they face SC Freiburg, who beat Nantes in the play-offs, in the last 16 of the Europa League.
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