Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba will not make his long-awaited return against Lazio in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals on Thursday, according to coach Massimiliano Allegri, but striker Dusan Vlahovic is expected to start.
After playing in a friendly match against a Juventus reserve team earlier last week, Pogba and Vlahovic, who are both making their long-awaited comebacks from injuries, were both selected to sit on the bench in Serie A on Sunday.
Vlahovic, who had not played for Juve since October, came on for Mattia De Sciglio in the 65th minute of their shock home 2-0 defeat by Monza. Pogba, who has yet to play a game this season, was an unused substitute.
“Apart from (Leonardo) Bonucci who is still out, the only one who won’t be available due to a flexor soreness is Pogba,” Allegri told a news conference on Wednesday.
“Unfortunately when you’re out for a long time and you raise the intensity level, you get pain… Maybe in a few weeks he’ll be in top condition.
Paul Pogba faces ANOTHER injury setback 🤕
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“He needs his body to readjust and it will take some time, you have to navigate by sight in these situations. From here to the end we have to use him in the best possible way.
“Vlahovic will almost certainly play as a starter, for the others I have to decide. (The game) can last 120 minutes tomorrow so the substitutions will be even more important.”
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