Socrates

KHEPHREN THURAM 1-0

McKennie meglio di David

David deludente

David non sa colpire di testa

Ma dai Miretti

Occasione Benfica

Arbitro turco-olandese. Tra i migliori in patria.

Juventus wants response from Turkish club for their target today Juventus have shifted its transfer focus after Crystal Palace stalled on a decision regarding a potential move for Jean-Philippe Mateta during the current window. With progress proving difficult, the Bianconeri have now turned their attention towards Fenerbahce striker Youssef En-Nesyri as they look to strengthen their attacking options before the deadline. En-Nesyri has recently returned from the Africa Cup of Nations, and Fenerbahce are understood to be open to allowing him to join Juventus, even if the deal is structured as a loan. This flexibility has made the Moroccan international an attractive alternative as Juve assesses their options in the market. ............ Adding another striker is viewed as a priority to improve the team’s attacking output. En-Nesyri’s form over an extended period has convinced Juventus that he could be the right fit. His experience at Sevilla has also demonstrated his ability to perform at the highest level in one of Europe’s top leagues, something that adds to his appeal as a short-term or potentially longer-term solution. ............ Juventus are now pushing to reach an agreement with Fenerbahce as soon as possible. Discussions between the two clubs have been ongoing for several days, with the Italian side keen to gain clarity on whether a deal can be finalised swiftly. The striker himself is also understood to be eager for both clubs to reach an agreement, allowing him to resolve his future without delay. Juventus are expecting a response from the Turkish club today. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/juventus-wants-response-from-turkish-club-for-their-target-today/

Juventus target has now informed his club that he wants to leave Jean-Philippe Mateta is actively seeking to complete a move to Juventus during the current transfer window and is personally pushing for the transfer to materialise. The French striker has made it clear that he is eager to take the next step in his career and believes that a switch to Turin would represent a significant progression. ............ Mateta has maintained strong form for several seasons, a consistency that has helped him break into the French national team setup. With the World Cup approaching, the striker is keen to strengthen his position and improve his chances of being selected for the tournament in North America. A move to a top club such as Juventus is viewed by the player as an important step in achieving that ambition. From Juventus’ perspective, the club see Mateta as a striker capable of enhancing their attacking options. Juve are keen for him to arrive and develop into one of their key players, believing his profile and attributes could significantly improve that area of the squad. The Allianz Stadium is seen as the ideal stage for the Frenchman to showcase his abilities at a higher competitive level. ............ Mateta is not leaving matters solely in the hands of negotiations between clubs. He has approached Crystal Palace directly to inform them of his desire to leave during this transfer window. By clearly communicating his intentions to the Eagles, he hopes to encourage them to reach an agreement with Juventus. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/juventus-target-has-now-informed-his-club-that-he-wants-to-leave/

Juventus v Benfica match preview – A must win game for Spalletti Juventus host Benfica in the Champions League just days after suffering a disappointing 1,0 defeat against Cagliari. That loss brought an abrupt end to a positive run of form and was a painful setback for the Bianconeri. However, there is little time for reflection, as European competition now demands an immediate response from a side eager to restore confidence and momentum. ............ The challenge, however, will be significant. Benfica arrive in Turin under the guidance of Jose Mourinho, a manager renowned for his tactical discipline and ability to frustrate opponents in high-pressure matches. His presence alone adds an extra layer of intrigue to the contest. Facing a former Inter Milan coach, Juventus fans are expected to make the atmosphere hostile, a factor that may only increase Mourinho’s motivation to secure a positive result on Juve’s home turf. ............ Juventus will also be mindful of their poor recent history against Benfica. The Portuguese side defeated them both home and away the last time the teams met, and they are unbeaten in their last seven encounters with the Italian giants. Even more striking is the fact that Juventus have not beaten Benfica in 33 years, a statistic that underlines the scale of the task ahead. This context places added pressure on the current squad, but it also presents an opportunity. Matches of this nature often require an individual to rise above the collective struggle and deliver a decisive moment. It will be fascinating to see which Juventus player assumes that responsibility and leads the team through a difficult tactical battle. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/juventus-v-benfica-match-preview-a-must-win-game-for-spalletti/

Champions League Preview: Juventus vs. Benfica It was nearly a year ago when Juventus and Benfica met on the final day of the new-look Champions League league phase, with a whole lot of people having one screen fixed on the game in front of them and another on the live table with everybody playing at the same time. Juve needed a win to get a much more favorable draw in the play-off round — which, as we all remember, didn’t happen and the European run came to an end shortly therafter. While Wednesday night doesn’t mark the end of the league phase just yet, a familiar foe is coming back to Turin. The penultimate fixture for Juventus of the UCL league phase sees Benfica and old “friend” Jose Mourinho roll into Turin with the Bianconeri on the cusp of potentially wrapping up a spot in the knockout phase. Sitting on nine point through their first six league phase fixtures, Juventus need to win one of their matchups against Benfica on Wednesday night or on the road against Monaco next week to sit in a good place when it comes to qualification for the play-off round. If 11 points was the target for clubs at the bottom of the top 24 last season, then one more win would put Luciano Spalletti’s squad on 12 points. And if that win to put Juve on 12 points comes against Benfica, then it will make the final matchday of the league phase in the Principality just that much more interesting with how tightly packed things were entering this week’s action outside of the top couple of teams. ............ Saturday night’s loss to Cagliari was the kind of result and performance that Juventus certainly need to avoid repeating against Benfica and/or Monaco. They do that and they’re likely wrapping up their spot in the play-off round sooner rather than later. But Benfica, even with their struggles earlier on in the league phase that then saw Mourinho return to managing in Portugal, have taken advantage of their own European schedule getting a little more friendly just as Juventus have, beating Ajax and then stunning Napoli to get out of the Champions League cellar. They know that another loss could very well put a big dent in their remaining hopes to sneak into the play-off round, thus causing them to be even more on the front foot than Spalletti said he expects them to be. Benfica also have a bit of history on their side against the Bianconeri, winning all of their last three meetings with Juventus in Europe. “I expect to see the same things I see every day, they enjoy developing in training and I enjoy watching them,” Spalletti said during Tuesday’s pre-match press conference. “Portuguese teams are all quite similar, Sporting has something similar to Benfica and if you don’t make the right decisions, you risk being trapped and the game will resemble the one against Sporting. … We are strong and we have a precise idea of how to play the game. The spotlight is more intense in Champions League matches and we hope to be worthy of that spotlight.” Juventus have been able to turn their Champions League campaign around with wins over Bodø/Glimt — you know, the team that just crushed Manchester City in the frigid Arctic Circle — and Pafos within a couple of weeks of each other. Now, it’s about getting a win that both puts them in the knockout round and then gets them a much better potential draw then what happened last season under Thiago Motta. ............ “We are on the right track because the team is curious and constantly looking for new ideas,” Spalletti said. “I always say that you have to improve your skills to score goals, to have the next pass already in mind before you receive the ball.” For a team that just got shut out by one of the statistically worst teams in Serie A just over the weekend, Juventus will have to be a lot better to ensure that they come away with three points on Wednesday night. TEAM NEWS During his pre-match press conference, Spalletti didn’t give too many hints — or any — when it came to any potential changes to his starting lineup when Juve face Benfica. There also weren’t many fitness updates regarding specific players, so it’s likely that the same players who were available over the weekend against Cagliari will be the same when Spalletti names his squad to face Benfica come Wednesday morning. ............ Juventus have not won three straight games in the Champions League since 2021. Mourinho has won just one of his last six away fixtures against Juventus, with that lone win coming during his time with Manchester United in 2018. JUVENTUS PLAYER TO WATCH A Portuguese squad is coming to Turin. Juventus just so happen to have a Portuguese player on the roster, and he could very well be returning to the starting lineup on Wednesday night. It still remains to be seen whether Conceição will actually be in the starting lineup considering what Spalletti had to say about his desire to not push him physically at the moment and just the simple fact that Fabio Miretti has been very good over the last few weeks while the diminutive Portuguese winger was out injured. But if Conceição does end up coming back into the squad from the opening whistle, it’s pretty safe to say that Juventus will need the good version of him if they want to have a good chance of actually beating Benfica for the first time in a few year ............ Conceição, when on, can be the compliment to Kenan Yildiz’s incredible playmaking ability that Juventus desperately need. For as well as Miretti has played of late, Conceição is just a completely different kind of player — and that’s not breaking news by any means. So no matter if he’s in the starting lineup or an impact sub off the bench in the second half, Juventus need Conceição to be Conceição. You know, the one where he can make opposing defenses look silly whenever he’s got the ball at his feet. That one should come back more often. Surely Spalletti would like that — as would all of us. MATCH INFO When: Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. Where: Juventus Stadium, Turin, Italy. Official kickoff time: 9 p.m. local time in Italy and across Europe, 8 p.m. in the United Kingdom, 3 p.m. Eastern time, 2 p.m. Central time, 12 p.m. Pacific time. Read more -> https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/previews-reviews/35559/juventus-benfica-2026-champions-league-league-phase-matchday-7-lineups-team-news-live-online-streaming

Juventus vs SL Benfica: Preview and Prediction The playoff berth is a guarantee for Juventus if they can defeat upcoming opponents Benfica in Turin, but there are chances of a late collapse, too. The Bianconeri sit in 17th with nine points on board, although they are only two points off 24th-placed Napoli in the UEFA Champions League standings. However, they are also three points behind eighth-placed Atletico Madrid, so anything seems to be possible in the final two games of the group phase. Juventus enter this clash fresh off a shock defeat to Serie A strugglers Cagliari, and now they are set to host Benfica, against whom their previous results do not show confidence. The Italian giants have lost seven of their last nine games against Benfica, including defeats in the three most recent clashes, which will be a worrying stat for Luciano Spalletti to improve on Wednesday. The main aim is to consolidate a playoff berth, but if there is an opportunity, depending on the results of some of the teams in or around the top eight, then Juventus will certainly aim to finish in those automatic places. Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho returns to Italy with a four-game unbeaten sequence against Italian sides, which includes a win over Napoli earlier in the season in the UEFA Champions League. ............ Team News & Tactics Juventus Luciano Spalletti is set to be without Dusan Vlahovic and Daniele Rugani for this clash with SL Benfica. The former has been an important player for Juventus in the group phases, and they would have been somewhere else in the standings without the Serbian striker’s three goals so far. However, Spalletti will rely on one of Jonathan David and Lois Openda to produce the goals up front, while Kenan Yildiz is certainly someone he will rely upon heavily. Spalletti will keep hold of a back four as his preferred shape, especially now that key man Gleison Bremer has returned from a long layoff and has been putting in key performances. Lloyd Kelly could be preferred to start alongside the Brazilian, with Pierre Kalulu and Andrea Cambiaso in the full-back roles. Manuel Locatelli and Kephren Thuram will assume the midfield roles, with Weston McKennie maybe preferred to operate further forward in more of an attacking midfield role. David might get the nod over Openda to lead the line with Yildiz and Francesco Conceicao in the wide areas. Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Thuram; Conceicao, McKennie, Yildiz; David SL Benfica ............ Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Trubin; Dedic, Otamendi, Silva, Dahl; Barrenechea, Barreiro; Aursnes, Sudakov, Schjelderup; Pavlidis Key Stats Juventus have recorded only one victory over Benfica in nine meetings. Juventus have lost their last three games against Benfica. Jose Mourinho is on a four-game unbeaten run against Italian sides. Having failed to win any of their first four UEFA Champions League games this season (D3 L1), Juventus have now won their last two. They last won more consecutively between March and November 2021 (5). Benfica have won their last two UEFA Champions League games (both 2-0), having lost six in a row before this. They last won three consecutive European Cup games without conceding in the 1989/90 campaign (5). Player to Watch Kenan Yildiz Luciano Spalletti has improved this Juventus side drastically, and certainly the game of one Yildiz, although the manager will want the Turkish star to take another big step forward. He has four goal contributions in the competition for Juventus, and certainly the biggest threat for Benfica to worry about. With Juventus’s forwards misfiring this season, and their top scorer Dusan Vlahovic missing from action, the onus is on other stars, particularly Yildiz in this case. Hence, the fans and the manager will rely heavily on the Turkish wonderkid to put in a solid performance and get the team into the next round. Prediction Juventus 2-1 SL Benfica Benfica have got their act together since the arrival of Jose Mourinho, especially at the back, where they have found a newfound defensive stability. That alone will give Benfica some hope of getting a positive result out of Turin, but their opponents are in a better vein of form. Juventus under Luciano Spalletti are much more improved, and are in the kind of form that could see them see through this goal. While there is the element of improving their overall dreadful record against Benfica, the Bianconeri are likely to take three points in this clash in Turin. . Read more -> https://thehardtackle.com/round-up/2026/01/21/juventus-vs-sl-benfica-preview-and-prediction-2/

Thuram: ‘Juventus changed me a lot, we are a strong team that creates chances’ Khephren Thuram has explained how moving to Juventus changed him as a player and as a person, has emphasized the importance of Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Benfica, but believes that it is too soon to start thinking about a potential World Cup appearance with France this summer. ............ “It’s an important game, and at Juventus, you always play to win. Tomorrow’s game is very important for me,” Thuram told the press when asked about Wednesday’s game against Benfica. Thuram was also asked if his way of playing has had to change since the appointment of Spalletti as head coach, to which he replied: “My way of playing has changed a bit. The coach and staff are helping me understand that I can score goals and be an important player for the team.” “It’s changed me a lot. Before coming to Juve, I was a lot younger, I came to train and didn’t think about much else. Now I realise that every day is important, every video, every moment, everything you do in your day-to-day life to help you become stronger. It’s a different way of life, giving everything to become stronger.” ............ He said: “I saw from the bench that we are a strong team that creates a lot of chances. After every game, we always think about the next one.” “I try not to think about the World Cup too much. What you do now is more important. It’s important to grow as a player and with this team, win more games, then the national team will see.” ............ . Read more -> https://football-italia.net/thuram-juventus-changed-me-a-lot/

Spalletti: ‘Juventus are strong, always expect something different from Mourinho’ Luciano Spalletti believes that Juventus are a ‘strong’ Champions League outfit, has discussed his future with the Bianconeri and has explained what to expect from Jose Mourinho and Benfica when they go head-to-head at the Allianz Stadium on Wednesday night. Juventus are in 17th place in the Champions League table ahead of kick-off, with nine points to their name from their first six matches of 2025-26. Benfica are in 26th with six points, and need to make up ground if they are to qualify for the knock-out rounds. ............ “When you play against a team like Benfica, you’re not just playing any old team, but a piece of footballing history, an identity. Portuguese teams suck you into their rhythm and often it’s too late to realise it. I expect the players to be ready and to be able to express themselves with their own qualities.” Spalletti was asked about his relationship with Mourinho, to which he replied: “When we first spoke at the start he’d say more than me, he always wins in that respect. “We respect each other, appreciate one another and have spoken on the phone. It will be a pleasure to face him. The volume is always turned up a notch when Mourinho is involved, and for me, to be in the other dugout will be a source of pride. “You always expect something different with Mourinho. It’s a direct clash and I expect Benfica to be aggressive. They will come to play the game. I’m convinced it will be a good game.” ............ “I expect to see the same things I see every day, they enjoy developing in training and I enjoy watching them. “Portuguese teams are all quite similar, Sporting has something similar to Benfica and if you don’t make the right decisions, you risk being trapped and the game will resemble the one against Sporting. “We are strong and we have a precise idea of how to play the game. The spotlight is more intense in Champions League matches and we hope to be worthy of that spotlight.” And when asked what Benfica’s strengths are, Spalletti said: “It’s a team that can play against anyone. I have to use all my focus on what my team has to do. Their qualities involve keeping the ball on the ground and keeping a very high tempo. Portuguese football is one that everyone has always liked, because you have to make the ball travel as quickly as possible.” ............ . Read more -> https://football-italia.net/spalletti-juventus-strong-expect-different-mou/

Juventus move closer to En-Nesyri: Details revealed Reports from various outlets in Italy claim that Juventus are in contact with Fenerbahce and are moving closer to a deal for Morocco international Youssef En-Nesyri rather than for Crystal Palace’s Jean-Phillipe Mateta. Here is what has been reported on the potential deal so far. ............ En-Nesyri was a regular starter for Fenerbahce last term, netting 20 league goals in his first season in Turkey, but has not been afforded the same volume of opportunities following the arrival of Jhon Duran in the summer. ............ For this reason, Fenerbahce are willing to sanction En-Nesyri’s departure in January, and according to various reports on Sunday, this could be in the form of a loan deal with an option or potential obligation to buy. Juventus will likely have to cover En-Nesyri’s salary in full for the remainder of the season. He reportedly earns around €8m per season, which means a cost of around €4m between now and the end of the 2025-26 campaign. ............ . Read more -> https://football-italia.net/juventus-move-closer-to-en-nesyri-details/

Juventus has an alternative to Mateta as Crystal Palace delay transfer Juventus are encountering difficulties in their attempt to sign Jean Philippe Mateta, with Crystal Palace delaying a decision on the offer placed before them. The French striker has been eager to complete the move, viewing Juventus as a significant opportunity to represent a top European club and further enhance his career at the highest level. ............ Despite the interest, negotiations have stalled. Juventus are only in a position to offer a loan deal with a permanent transfer at the end of the season, an arrangement that has failed to convince Palace. The London club remain reluctant to sanction a departure unless a substantial fee is guaranteed, reflecting both Mateta’s importance and his contractual security. ............ If Palace continue to reject the advances, Juventus are prepared to redirect its attention. Youssef En Nesyri has emerged as the leading alternative should the Mateta pursuit collapse. The Morocco international has been performing well at Fenerbahce, and Juventus believe he could adapt successfully to their system and provide the cutting edge they require. The situation leaves Juventus at a crossroads. Securing Mateta would bring experience, pedigree and immediate impact, but only if Palace soften their stance. Otherwise, the club must act decisively elsewhere to avoid being left short in attack for the remainder of the campaign. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/juventus-has-an-alternative-to-mateta-as-crystal-palace-delay-transfer/