Paul Pogba explains what changed for France to overturn Belgium in the Nations League and refused to rule out a Juventus return. ‘I have a year left at Manchester United, then we’ll see.’
The midfielder was playing at the Allianz Juventus Stadium in Turin this evening when France fought back from 2-0 down to beat Belgium 3-2 in the Nations League semi-final.
“We started very well, with 25 quality minutes moving the ball around well, but they hurt us on the counter-attack, where they are very strong,” Pogba told Sport Mediaset.
“So we defended, got deeper and deeper, we stopped playing with the ball and conceded that second goal that was a real blow.
Nations League | Belgium 2-3 France: Theo Hernandez completes comeback
“However, it was a completely different match in the second half, a different team and we played like France. It was tough for Belgium, I’m sure, it reminded me of our defeat in the Euros with Switzerland.”
It means they France face Spain in the Final at San Siro in Milan on Sunday evening, while Italy go head-to-head with Belgium in Turin for third place.
“Spain won, so we will face Spain in the Final, but it was a very entertaining game. I think it will be really tough for Belgium.
“I am very, very happy with the performance, especially the second half, which was wonderful.”
Pogba did not disguise his joy at being back in Turin after his years at Juventus, and with his Manchester United contract running down in June, the reports remain he could return to the Old Lady as a free agent.
That narrative was fuelled today when Juve player Juan Cuadrado sent a message on Pogba’s Instagram urging him to ‘stay home’ now he was back in Turin.
“I always talk to the Juve players. I am in Manchester, I have a year left at Manchester United and then we’ll see. I want to do well as long as I’m at Manchester and then we’ll see,” replied Pogba.
Futuro #Juve? #Pogba: ‘Voglio finire bene col #ManchesterUnited, poi vediamo’ https://t.co/W19ESuEeif pic.twitter.com/HDGk1jk5LB
— ilbianconero (@ilbianconerocom) October 7, 2021
No, need. Juve, this guy is better, Tchouameni