The Monaco vs Marseille question is now centered on Paul Pogba, with the midfielder emerging as a serious option for the upcoming Ligue 1 meeting in Monaco. Manager Sebastien Pocognoli said the 33-year-old is available, but his place in the squad is still being decided with three training sessions left before Sunday night’s kick-off. The update comes after a four-month absence shaped by a persistent calf issue and only 30 minutes of league action so far this season.
Pogba’s status stays open before Monaco vs Marseille
Pocognoli said Pogba has been training continuously with the group since the start of the international break and that there are no contraindications at this stage. He described the situation as still open, saying the final call will depend on how the player responds as preparations continue. If Pogba is left out, Pocognoli said that would mean both sides decided he was not quite ready for a league match.
The medical picture has improved enough to keep the midfielder in contention, but the club is still taking a cautious approach. Pogba’s last competitive appearance for Monaco came on December 5 in a trip to Brest, and his most recent sign of progress came on March 26 when he played 25 minutes and scored in a friendly against Brentford’s U23 side. That run of minutes is still far short of what Monaco would normally expect from a player of his stature, which is why the club is monitoring his workload closely.
What Pocognoli said about the squad
Pocognoli also moved to shut down questions about how players spent their time away, stressing that he was focused on what he saw on the training pitch. He said the players trained well this week and that their private life was not his concern, as long as they returned with the right mindset and delivered in Monaco’s environment. The message was clear: readiness, not outside noise, will shape the final squad decision for Monaco vs Marseille.
That matters because the league table leaves little room for error. Monaco sits in sixth place, three points behind Marseille, who occupy the last Champions League qualification spot. In that setting, even a limited return from Pogba could shift the tone of the match and offer Monaco a fresh option in a critical stretch of the season.
Final checks before Sunday night
With three training sessions still to come before the Sunday night fixture, the medical staff will keep watching Pogba’s reaction to increased workloads. The club has not closed the door, but it has not given a final green light either. For now, the picture is simple: Monaco vs Marseille remains open for Pogba, and the next few sessions will decide whether he is in the squad or still held back for one more week.
