Out-of-sorts Pogba must rediscover big-game form for UCL test

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  • Out of form? Paul Pogba.

    When looking at ways in which Juventus can overcome Bayern Munich on Wednesday evening, for many the conversation begins and ends with Paul Pogba.

    The French midfielder is the one universally recognised name in the Bianconeri starting XI, but regular watchers of the reigning Italian champions would perhaps hold a surprising counter-argument after what has been a hugely frustrating season from the former Manchester United man.

    Pogba has weighed in with five goals and seven assists this term, producing some breath-taking moments of skill which have instantly gone viral and further emboldened his reputation as one of the game’s foremost talents.

    Regularly linked with moves away from Turin in stories often discussing world record transfer fees, the 23-year-old has shot to prominence since joining the club back in the summer of 2012.

    He has become a three-time Serie A champion, played in a Champions League final and captained Les Bleus to victory at the Under-20 World Cup.

    Another Italian title looks set to be added to an already impressive medal haul this season, while this year’s European Championship in his homeland  presents another opportunity to showcase his incredible ability.

    Yet with such obvious skill comes heightened expectation – the departures of Carlos Tevez, Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal have put an added burden on his young shoulders.

    Failing to live up to that consistently has seen Pogba come in for much criticism, but Patrice Evra insists the eye-catching ability of his compatriot lies at the centre of any such critique and urged his team-mate to continue to express himself.

    “Pogba’s problem is that he has too much quality and when he makes mistakes he gets frustrated, because everyone thinks that a player like that can’t make certain errors,” the defender told La Gazzetta dello Sport on Monday.

    “I always repeat to him that he has to stay calm, work hard and listen to [Juve boss Max] Allegri. He must play like he knows. Sure, losing the ball is annoying, but it happens because he’s someone who always goes for it and does not hold back.”

    Allegri has been the most prominent voice among those speaking out against Pogba’s tendency to keep the ball too long, a trait which had seen him dispossessed 2.5 times per game according to statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com.

    It is notable that his goals this term have come against Genoa, Torino, Sampdoria, Carpi and Chievo, with the latter – who currently occupy tenth place – the highest ranking of those sides.

    That was clearly a major factor in Bayern Munich’s dominance of the opening 45 minutes of the first leg in Turin, Pep Guardiola ensuring his side swamped Pogba whenever he received a pass – forcing him into numerous turnovers.

    “Paul has come on a great deal and put in some important displays,” Allegri told a press conference last week. “If he keeps it simple he’s unplayable. He still must learn a lot but he’s a 23-year-old and should become a top-level European midfielder.”

    The Juve boss clearly enjoys a strong relationship with Pogba, but believes such a public statement will bring the best from a player who has the potential to lead the Bianconeri to victory against even the very best teams yet rarely does.

    Of course, a stellar performance in a Juventus victory at the Allianz Arena would change that narrative in one fell swoop, and a man who knows both clubs intimately has no doubt he could do just that.

    2015/2016 Serie A

    • Games: 27
    • Goals: 5
    • Assists: 5
    • Shots: 92

    “He can become one of the top five players in the world, but he has to maintain his intensity,” Hasan Salihamidžić said of Pogba in a recent interview.

    “But he does these crazy things, he is unpredictable, and you have to take care of him. He is held in high regard by his team-mates and can make the difference – against any opposition – but doesn’t always do this.”

    He will not be alone in attempting to overcome the Bavarian giants of course, with the likes of Mario Mandžukić, who is doubtful with an injury, and Juan Cuadrado adding a quality attacking threat to the undeniable defensive solidity that has long been a hallmark of this current Juventus side.

    Indeed, Friday’s victory over Sassuolo saw Gigi Buffon set a new club record for minutes without conceding a goal, his mark of 926 minutes now just four short of Serie A’s all-time best mark.

    The fabled backline will need to be at its best if they are to somehow overcome an impressive looking Bayern Munich, but Juventus will also need Paul Pogba to deliver a performance worthy of such a talented star.

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