Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba out for 7 weeks with hamstring injury

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba will be out for at least seven weeks because of a hamstring injury, the club announced on Thursday.

The France international went off in the 26th minute of Wednesday’s 3-0 Champions League last-16 second-leg victory over Borussia Dortmund, a win that took Juve through 5-1 on aggregate. Pogba’s injury could mean he misses the quarter-finals and, if the team qualify, the semi-finals too.

Juventus said on Thursday night: “Paul Pogba this afternoon underwent an MRI scan after coming off midway through the first half of last night’s Champions League match with Borussia Dortmund in Germany.

“The scan revealed a grade two myotendinous junction tear of his biceps femoris. He is expected to return to competitive action within the next 50 days.”

Coach Massimiliano Allegri may decide to switch to a three-man defence in Pogba’s absence with Claudio Marchisio, Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo patrolling the midfield.

Juventus, who have a 14-point lead with 11 games to play as they seek a fourth straight Serie A title, host seventh-placed Genoa on Sunday.

Credit: Guardian Sport