Soccer Monday: Match guide and transfer talks
By Zhao Siyuan (chinadaily.com.cn) Updated: 2015-05-11 14:55Champions League semi-final, second league: Real Madrid v Juventus
2:45 am on Thursday (Beijing Time)
First leg result: Juventus 2, Real Madrid 1
Three days before their second-leg clash, Juve welcomes back midfield strongman Paul Pogba, while Real's injury worries have also eased.
Newly crowned Italian champion Juventus was held by relegation-threatened Cagliria in an otherwise less-watched 1-1 draw on Sunday as almost all the stars were benched ahead of the midweek Champions League clash with Real.
The only talking point was Pogba's powerful 20-yard strike, marking the Frenchman's timely comeback from 52-day layoff for a hamstring injury.
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Juventus' Paul Pogba (C) celebrates with his team mates Claudio Marchisio (L) and Simone Padoin after scoring a goal against Cagliari during their Serie A soccer match at the Juventus stadium in Turin, Italy, May 9, 2015. [Photo/Agencies] |
The young midfielder's return came as bliss for Massimiliano Allegri's side, who are set to defend their 2-1 lead on Thursday.
The Juve coach's fellow Italian, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti, however, is also gradually patching up an injury-plagued formation.
The Spanish side experienced a scare as midfielder Toni Kroos walked off the pitch and was later substituted by Asier Illarramendi in the first half of a 2-2 draw with Valencia on Sunday. The German international later tweeted to clear off injury worries.
Adding another boost, forward KarimBenzema is expected to back in the squad to face Juve after suffering a knee problem since mid April.
Former Real and now Juve striker Alvaro Morata, who scored against his former club in the first leg, is set to create topics in return to Santiago Bernabeu. Extra attention will be given to this young Spaniard as rumor is flying high that Real plans to buy him back this summer.
A healthy Pogba, the most coveted target in transfer market, will also be tightly scrutinized as Real is not the only heavyweight in pursuit of the Frenchman who is on track to be the next midfield master.
