Paul Pogba has a 'very good chance' of starting against Real Madrid, says Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri
Wednesday 13 May 2015 18:56, UK
Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri says there is a "very good chance" Paul Pogba will start against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final second leg.
Pogba had been out for two months with a hamstring injury, but scored on his return to the side against Cagliari on Saturday and played 63 minutes.
Aside from talk of Pogba's inclusion, Allegri said the clash is a one-off, despite the Italians carrying a 2-1 lead to the Bernabeu.
"[Pogba] is in good shape and I think there’s a very good chance he will start tomorrow’s match.
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“I have wiped out the first leg in my mind. Tomorrow is a one-off and we cannot think of having the advantage of two results out of three on our side.
“It’s impossible to control Real Madrid, especially on home turf, as they are even more attack-minded than on their travels.
“There’s no point to thinking we can just defend. The more we have the ball, the less likely it is Real Madrid will score.
“We are 95 minutes away from Berlin. I don’t see why we shouldn’t believe that we can get there. It's going to be a long 95 minutes, though. Interminable.”
Juve's hopes of progressing to the showpiece in Berlin on June 6, which would be their first final since 2003, could hinge on the performance of Carlos Tevez.
The Argentina forward has netted seven Champions League goals this season, one more than his five previous campaigns combined, and converted the penalty that clinched victory in the first leg after he was upended by Dani Carvajal.
The 31-year-old has also struck 20 Serie A goals in 2014/15, three short of his career-best domestic league haul set in 2009/10 for Manchester City.
"Tevez is playing an extraordinary season," Allegri added. "He has also become a decisive figure in the Champions League after quite a long barren patch."
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