Paul Pogba's Inconsistency Adds to Juventus' Struggles Against Atalanta

Sunday afternoon saw Juventus earn a 2-0 victory over Atalanta, a result that saw them maintain their three-point lead at the top of the Serie A standings. Still enjoying that cushion over closest rivals Napoli, the season is looking increasingly positive for the Bianconeri, who have also secured a place in the Coppa Italia final.

Furthermore, the win in Bergamo marked a ninth-consecutive clean sheet for coach Massimiliano Allegri’s men in the league and extended their unbeaten run to 18-games, a streak that began back in October.

It is a superb record, but the Juve boss was less than impressed with Paul Pogba at the full-time whistle, singling out the French midfielder’s performance for particular criticism when he spoke to Sky Sport Italia shortly after the game had ended.

“Pogba is a player who can make the difference if he plays it simple and is focused,” Allegri said (h/t Football Italia). “He got booked and let that affect him, so he lost his way in the second half and basically stopped playing.”

Indeed, while the coach went on to note that his side now have “one less game, one less win we need to achieve” in their relentless pursuit of yet another Serie A title, there is no denying the poor display Pogba turned in here.

As the graphic in the tweet below shows, the 22-year-old missed the target with all three of his shot attempts against Atalanta, completed just 40 of his 54 pass attempts (74 percent) and committed five fouls as he picked up the yellow card that Allegri mentioned.

Pogba’s lack of impact contributed to what was a disjointed attacking performance from Juventus; the team struggled to overcome a resolute opponent as the returning Roberto Pereyra also laboured in midfield.

With that duo misfiring, it was largely left to Paulo Dybala to find a way through the Atalanta defence who were able to swarm him off the ball in numbers all too often. It is not the first time Pogba has been criticised, with this previous post discussing his lack of consistency for the Bianconeri.

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There is little doubt that the former Manchester United man possesses immense talent and could develop into one of the best players in the world, but until he can routinely make match-winning contributions, that remains some way off.

He has made significant impact for both club and country, but the coaches of each side have criticised the player throughout the current campaign. Allegri has repeatedly spoken of a need to improve, telling a press conference in November that Pogba must “read certain moments of the game better.”

Meanwhile, France boss Didier Deschamps—himself a former Juventus player—echoed those comments when he spoke to reporters ahead of international friendlies with Armenia and Denmark last October.

“It's important to say first, that Pogba is already at a great level,” Deschamps said per Goal.com. “The question is now in term of his consistency and efficiency. He's capable of technical moves that will make all the fans to get up. I have no problem with that but it has to match with efficiency.”

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That tendency to show off rather than deliver a telling pass has become a recurring theme. It is something the player must look to quickly eradicate from his game, as his fluctuating form is clearly beginning to affect the overall displays of the Italian champions.

With key clashes against Bayern Munich and local rivals Torino on the horizon, Juventus need Pogba to become the very best his potential allows if they are to continue their recent success and progress both at home and abroad.