Paul Pogba’s first Monaco start shows rust in cautious return | OneFootball

Paul Pogba endured a difficult first Monaco start, his first in more than three years, seeing plenty of the ball but little influence before being withdrawn in the 58th minute.

Sébastien Pocognoli turned to the 2018 World Cup winner for experience and technique, yet the bottom side were often superior and Monaco underwhelmed. According to Nice-Matin, Pogba looked a long way off top level.

Stationed in front of the defence alongside Lamine Camara, the No 8 struggled for weight of pass. A risky backpass led Zakaria to commit a foul, a diagonal towards Teze ran long, and a through ball for Balogun was overhit. He still took 52 touches and linked play at times.

He snatched at a shot from 25 metres that went wide, and hesitated in the air, though he did meet an Adingra cross before a defender cleared. Pocognoli later said the team were poor on the ball, so little of their plan showed, and his minutes followed a prearranged 60-minute medical cap.

The coach added that three years without starting had to be considered, and with gaps in recent matches and his intense training, they looked for solutions, with Pogba chosen for his qualities and leadership. Team-mate Akliouche felt his mentality to come back was impressive and said he was delighted in the dressing room, almost like a kid.

It was another step on a long road back, but for now his prime remains some distance away.

Source: Nice-Matin