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Pogba's Juve return dented by Cagliari

By Agence France-Presse in Rome | China Daily | Updated: 2015-05-11 07:39

Cagliari spoiled Juventus' home title celebrations and Paul Pogba's scoring return after two months out by snatching a late 1-1 draw on Saturday to keep its slim Serie A survival hopes alive.

Defender Luca Rossettini struck five minutes from the end in Turin, pouncing on the rebound off the post of his own header to cancel out Pogba's 45th-minute opener.

The result closed the gap between third-from-bottom Cagliari and Atalanta, which traveled to Palermo on Sunday, to five points.

France midfielder Pogba had been out since tearing a thigh muscle during Juve's 3-0 win at Borussia Dortmund on March 18, but showed no signs of rustiness on his return.

He struck seconds before halftime with a long-range strike that deflected off Cagliari defender Luca Ceppitelli.

The 22-year-old Pogba received a standing ovation when he was substituted just after the hour mark.

However, coach Massimiliano Allegri said he was undecided as to whether Pogba would start against Real Madrid on Wednesday, when Juve will try to a defend a 2-1 Champions League semifinal, first-leg lead.

"I will assess the situation between now and Wednesday but I've seen in training that he's in good physical condition. He's a young lad and he's in good shape," said Allegri. "We know that the Madrid game will be difficult because they have players with great technique and we will have to play better."

 

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