Socrates

“They are two points lost.” Santarelli reacts to Juventus draw against Lille Alessandro Santarelli offered a mixed assessment of Juventus’ performance in their 1-1 Champions League draw with Lille, recognising the team’s positive moments but also highlighting missed opportunities. ............ While the draw is not a poor result given Lille’s strong form, it doesn’t guarantee Juventus the comfort they need to advance smoothly in the league stage. Santarelli noted that Juve performed well overall, pressing in the opponent’s half and creating chances. ............ Santarelli’s comment captures his ambivalence: “I struggle to comment on this match, because I can’t see if the glass is half full or half empty. Half full because the team played the match, played in the opponent’s half, created and did well. Half empty because we conceded a goal due to a lack of concentration… And then the standings… we are in a sort of limbo.” ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/they-are-two-points-lost-pundit-reacts-to-juventus-draw-against-lille/

Motta proud of Juventus’ performance vs. Lille, but ‘wanted a different result’ The Juve manager shares his thoughts after the Bianconeri’s draw with Lille in France. As Thiago Motta walked off the field Tuesday night at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Northern France, he was very much defiant that his Juventus squad played quite well against Lille as they hit the midway point of the Champions League’s new-look “league phase.” There was just one catch: his team didn’t win. They didn’t lose, but they didn’t win, either. The 1-1 draw with Lille — one of the biggest surprise teams in the Champions League so far this season — saw a much-improved performance from Motta’s squad the last time they played in Europe, but ultimately Juventus’ attack could only muster a second-half penalty kick from Dusan Vlahovic to pull even. “We wanted a different result and created the opportunities to get that, but I am happy with the performance. We can improve certain things, but overall I am satisfied with the way the team played,” Motta said. “We certainly could’ve done better in the final third, though the quality of our football improved in the second half. It was clear from the start that Juve would defend and try to counter-attack, so we had to stop them doing that. Lille know what they are doing, are full of confidence at the moment, but it was a great performance from my lads. Now we have to recover our energy and prepare for the derby.” ............ As Motta noted, he expected Lille to play exactly how they did — to defend well and hit Juventus on the counter. And it was one of those counters — aided by some questionable Juventus defending — that put Lille ahead thanks to Jonathan David’s 27th-minute goal. “Goals come from mistakes and we can cut those down by being more aggressive when we lose the ball,” Motta said. I saw greater balance today, it was tough for us to push through the middle today because Lille were closing up all the spaces, so we had to attack wide with the wingers and also the fullbacks overlapping. “I am pleased with the performance and our next match is a derby, so we want to play it at our best. I saw good progress.” ............ “I think we had the game under control on a difficult pitch against a team that plays very well,” Motta said. “We were aggressive, we could have won it especially after we equalized. It’s a pity we weren’t able to. ............ . Read more -> https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2024/11/6/24289229/thiago-motta-juventus-lille-2024-champions-league-final-score-result-manager-comments-analysis

Juventus play better than Lille, but don’t get the luck in Champions League draw Juve were in control for much of the match, but a succession of bad breaks saw them only take home a point from France. There are some days when the breaks simply don’t go your way. That’s exactly how Juventus must have been feeling as they went into the locker room at halftime of their Champions League match at Lille. They were down 1-0, but with a few small breaks they could’ve easily been three goals to the good. Teun Koopmeiners in particular must’ve been pulling his hair out — he’d made two clinical finishes from the middle of the penalty area, only to see the goals chalked off because the teammate who pulled the ball back to him was offside. In between an excellent finish by Dusan Vlahovic was repelled by a remarkable save from Lucas Chevalier. The Bianconeri didn’t let the bad luck phase them and dominated in the second half. They finally equalized from the spot through Vlahovic at the hour mark, and continued to push for a winner. They were the better side for much of the night, but the last bounce never went their way, and they had to head home from the north of France with only one point. ............ The game seemed relatively even, with Juve having more possession but Lille still posing a threat, mainly through Zhegrova, who routinely cooked Cabal on the left flank. But in the 24th minute, it looked like Juve had broken through. After forcing a turnover in Lille’s half, Yildiz sent Vlahovic to the byline, and the striker pulled back for Koopmeiners, who had made a great run to stay in free space and easily stroked it home — only to see the flag going up, the assistant having correctly caught Vlahovic a step offside. They would rue that missed opportunity. Three minutes later, after Conceição was stopped trying to cut inside, Zhegrova was sent on the counter and once again blew past Cabal, then found David, who had broken into open space down the right side. Kalulu had completely lost him, and added insult to ineptitude when he fell on his face trying to readjust in a desperate attempt to stop Zhegrova’s pass. He didn’t, and the sought-after Canadian striker was 1-on-1 with Di Gregorio, zipping the ball over his shoulder and into the net to give Lille a lead that was, in the end, against the run of play. ............ They started the second half clearly believing it. They dominated possession and sealed the home side in their half. ............ So dominant was Juve’s start that Génésio saw fit to make some changes within 10 minutes to try to stabilize things. Lille managed to relieve the pressure slightly, but in the 58th minute Conceição tried to slither between two defenders in the box and was rather blatantly taken down by André, leaving Bosnian referee Irfan Peljto with little to ponder as he pointed to the spot. Vlahovic set the ball down, and got Chevalier to bite just enough on his stutter-step run-up to roll it into the left side of the goal without any trouble. ............ LE PAGELLE MICHELE DI GREGORIO - 6. ............ ANDREA CAMBIASO - 6. Played well defensively — although he too was burned by Zhegrova a few times after he moved to the left side later on in the match — and got very involved in the attack, although he couldn’t create much on his own. FEDERICO GATTI - 6. ............ PIERRE KALULU - 5. Kalulu has played great this season, but that kind of defensive failure cannot happen at this level. He completely lost David behind him on the goal, then compounded his failure by falling on his face trying to recover. The goal is on his shoulders more than anyone else’s. JUAN CABAL - 5. Probably headed to the locker room extra crispy, because he got roasted repeatedly by Zhegrova. He wasn’t the only one that had problems containing him, but it was a constant issue — including allowing him to make his turn before he assisted David — to the point where he booked and had to be removed lest one more torching lead to a second yellow. MANUEL LOCATELLI - 7. ............ KHEPHREN THURAM - 6. ............ FRANCISCO CONCEIÇÃO - 6. Wasn’t as dangerous in the first half as he was in the second. His willingness to dribble at a defender (or multiple defenders) is useful, but he does need to have a little more awareness of when he might need to pass the ball instead. That dribbling did get the penalty though, although his overall pass completion (82.9 percent) left a little to be desired, and he was 0-7 on crosses. TEUN KOOPMEINERS - 6.5. At some point one of these balls will end up in the net for real. The fact that the movement he had on both of those goals finally came is a good sign, though. He’s been missing a little something playing around the box until today. He also led the team with four tackles, and had a key pass. KENAN YILDIZ - 6. Co-led the team with three dribbles and made a pair of key passes, but only completed 72.4 percent of his passes overall. Dropped back to help against Zhergova when he needed it, making three tackles on defense. DUSAN VLAHOVIC - 6.5. Cool as you like on the penalty, and overall had a really good day. He moved well and looked confident in taking shots early, one of which was denied by a top-drawer save in the first half. Surprising he was subbed out, but the dude must be absolutely gassed right now having played as the only center-forward the team’s had all season. SUBS NICOLO SAVONA - 5.5. ............ WESTON McKENNIE - 5.5. ............ TIMOTHY WEAH - 5.5. ............ SAMUEL MBANGULA - NR. ............ MANAGER ANALYSIS Motta got a lot of things right against Lille, he just didn’t have the luck. It’s encouraging that through balls and other attacks through the middle have started coming over the last few games, becuase the team was starting to get predictable in its over-reliance on wing play. Especially good was the way Koopmeiners was brought into play on those cutbacks. He has a great ability to float in space and keep himself open during plays like that, and incorporating those movements into the attack will make the team more multiple and make Koopmeiners just that more dangerous. Defensively, things are starting to tighten up. The pairing of Gatti and Kalulu is clearly the way forward in the middle of defense. It’s a little worrying how badly Cabal was abused by Zhergova, though, especially considering the quality of some of the wide players that Juve are going to have to go against in this competition. But overall the defense worked very well, Kalulu’s egregious error on the goal aside. But perhaps the biggest part of this for Motta is the way the team has responded mentality-wise. Juve’s last game in this competition was not acceptable, and much like the game over the weekend against Udinese, they had the look of players who understood that and were determined to make up for it. Unlike in Udine, their luck was piss-poor, and there is the feeling that the team left something on the table given the way the game went, but the fact that Motta has been able to take a team that had turned in such a weak performance their last time out in the competition and refocus them is a huge mark in his favor and a real sign that he’s getting buy-in from these players. LOOKING AHEAD Just one more game before the international break, as Juve welcome Torino to the Allianz for the season’s first Derby della Mole. . Read more -> https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2024/11/6/24289150/juventus-losc-lille-2024-champions-league-league-phase-final-score-result-match-recap-analysis

Juventus 1 - Lille 1: Initial reaction and random observations ............ In the next few hours and probably days, Juventus players and coaches alike are going to be thinking that Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw with Lille should have been more than just a European fixture in which they picked up a single point. Not with the chances they had. Not with the way they played. And certainly not with how they prevented Lille from doing much of anything for large stretches of this Matchday 4 matchup. These nights happen, though. Juventus could have easily had three goals before the first half, but Teun Koopmeiners was twice robbed of his first goal in bianconero (or bright yellow?) thanks to another one of his teammates being offside just seconds before the Dutchman put the ball into the back of the net, while Dusan Vlahovic saw LIlle keeper Lucas Chevalier make a great reflex save at the near post 10 minutes before halftime. ............ But because of this game sometimes providing Juventus with absolutely terrible luck, they were down 1-0 at the half thanks to a picture-perfect counterattack rather than being up by two or three goals and reflecting how well they were playing for much of the opening 45 minutes. ............ The team that played better Tuesday was very easy to see, and it wasn’t the squad that already has wins in the Champions League over Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid. And so much of the second half, Juventus had Lille pinned back and it just felt like it was only a matter of time before they actually scored. The problem was, with all of the terrible luck in the first half, Dusan Vlahovic’s penalty at the hour mark tied the game rather than extend Juve’s lead. there were plenty of chances after that, too, but one of Juventus’ biggest problems this season — finishing chances in the final third — popped up once again. That’s why I feel like with how they played, so much of the Juventus camp will think they should have won with the way they played on the whole. ............ RANDOM THOUGHTS AND OBSERVATIONS OK, you can keep wearing the yellow jersey if you keep getting results and playing well. I’ll allow it in that case. One of Lille’s starting center backs is named Alexsandro and it made me laugh every single time I heard it. ............ Kenan Yildiz won’t be turning 20 years old until early May and is usually the youngest player on the field. That wasn’t the case Tuesday night — and by a couple of years. Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi turned 17 all of a month ago and that is just crazy to think about. Chevalier is one of the best young keepers in Europe, but he has the last name that makes it sound like he’s the heir to a massive family business in the perfume or champagne industry. Jokes aside, that save from Chevalier on Vlahovic was really pretty damn good. ............ Something tells me Juan Cabal is going to be happy to be done with trying to defend Edon Zhegrova because whoa boy that sure was a one-sided individual duel that did not favor the guy wearing bright yellow. That through ball from Zhegrova to David on the Lille goal was so perfectly placed and timed even better. At the exact moment that Pierre Kalulu is just out of reach of the ball — even with his momentum going in the complete opposite direction — is when it gets through and David is clear on goal. Frustrating to concede that way? Yes, but that was really well executed. ............ The second half, though, that was the Conceição we’ve gotten used to during his short Juve career. I’ve said it more than once and I’ll say it again: Chico’s gotta be such a pest to play against. He’s a damn mosquito that keeps buzzing your ear no matter what you do. That was a cold blooded PK from Vlahovic, too. (His PKs have been pretty good this season!) Not a bad PK to sink for your 50th goal at Juventus. Eventually one of those pullbacks to Koopmeiners is going to hit (and actually count because there’s nobody actually offsides) and there is going to be a collective “FINALLY!!!!” screamed in so many different languages. So, are we ready to call it that the Plan B to Vlahovic playing up top is Yildiz playing up top as a false-ish 9? I know it wasn’t for very long against Lille, but it feels like it’s going that way. ............ Juventus attempted 25 crosses against Lille. They completed two of them. Not great. Lille attempted one cross. They completed it. Perfection, my friends, that’s what it looks like. Juventus passes completed: 559 Lille passes completed: 261 ............ Juventus finished with 1.39 xG against Lille. Wonder what it would have looked like if either (or both) of Koopmeiners’ goals that was chalked off for offsides actually counted. ............ Read more -> https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2024/11/6/24289021/juventus-lille-2024-champions-league-final-score-result-initial-reaction-random-observations

Juventus tame giant-killing Lille with draw in France Juventus secured a 1-1 draw against Lille in the Champions League this evening, ensuring the Ligue 1 side couldn’t add them to their list of big-name victims. Lille set the tone early, with Jonathan David firing a warning shot that signalled their intent. Having already defeated Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, Lille’s threat was well known, and Juventus came prepared. The Bianconeri quickly showed they hadn’t travelled to France to lose, with Dusan Vlahovic finding the net—only for it to be ruled offside. Lille responded immediately as David scored with a sharp finish, giving them the lead. ............ After the break, Juve continued pressing for an equaliser, while Lille remained composed, solid in and out of possession. A brilliant moment from Francisco Conceicao earned Juve a penalty, which Vlahovic confidently converted to level the score. ............ In the end, both teams fought hard but couldn’t find a decisive goal, sharing the points in a well-contested draw. . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/juventus-tame-giant-killing-lille-with-draw-in-france/

DUSAN VLAHOVIC 1-1

Altro gol annullato

Zhegrova é il loro Conceicao

Si

Il cavaliere é bravo

Non solo noi purtroppo

Grande attaccante

Gol del Lille. Non ci voleva proprio.

Fuorigioco di Vlahovic. Non é gol

Un sollievo la partenza del nostro Alexsandro

Ah giá YallaTV. Non mi funziona piú.

Un nome, una garanzia .......

Un dio che non funziona, insomma .......

La curva francese espone uno striscione in latino dal sapore ecclesiastico

Motta set for his 14th different formation in 15 games Thiago Motta’s tactical approach at Juventus has quickly garnered attention, establishing him as a “tinkerer” unafraid to experiment with lineups and formations to bring Juventus back to prominence in Italian football. Since taking the reins, Motta has embraced a flexible, adaptive style, shifting his lineup and formation regularly. In the 14 games under his leadership, he has deployed 13 different formations, and he’s likely to introduce a new system against Lille, marking his 14th formation in 15 matches. This constant reshuffling started in his very first game when he made the surprising decision to start young Samuel Mbangula. The choice raised eyebrows, but Motta defended it, asserting that every player who performs well in training deserves a chance on the pitch. ............ Motta’s adaptability keeps Juventus unpredictable, a quality that served him well at Bologna. His willingness to adjust tactics based on opponents and match contexts makes it challenging for rivals to strategise against Juventus effectively. This unpredictability was key to his success at Bologna, and Juventus fans are hopeful that it will continue to yield positive results for their team as well. ............ As Juventus faces Lille, a team known for upsetting European heavyweights, Motta’s approach could be especially beneficial. His tinkering keeps his lineup unpredictable, which will be vital in countering Lille’s game plan. . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/motta-set-for-his-14th-different-formation-in-15-games/

Ex-Juventus midfielder warns them against giant-killing Lille Juventus faces a challenging task in the Champions League as they prepare to take on Lille away. With two wins and one loss in the group stage so far, Juventus has managed a strong start, but their defeat to Stuttgart was a sobering reminder of the competition’s intensity. Lille, on the other hand, has proven themselves formidable, dispatching Fenerbahce in the qualifying round and notching victories over Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in the group stage, showcasing their knack for unsettling high-profile opponents. ............ Vladimir Jugovic, a former Juventus star, issued a word of caution for his former club, acknowledging Lille’s prowess. He drew a parallel between this clash and a memorable Champions League encounter in 1996 against Nantes, another French side. “Watch out for Lille,” Jugovic warned, as reported by Tuttojuve. “Juventus in the Champions League against a French team reminds me of my goal against Nantes. Lille beat Real Madrid and Atletico, Juve have been warned. But if you win these games, especially away from home, you come out of it more aware and stronger.” He also expressed confidence in Juventus’s potential under Motta, praising their performance in Leipzig and suggesting they have the resilience to match Lille’s intensity. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/ex-juventus-midfielder-warns-them-against-giant-killing-lille/

Lille president heaps praise on Motta and says Juventus made the right choice Lille’s president, Olivier Letang, has high regard for Juventus manager Thiago Motta, having worked alongside him during Motta’s years as a player at Paris Saint-Germain. ............ “During our discussions, I always told him that he would be a great coach. What he did with Bologna is remarkable. The Juventus directors made the best choice in hiring him: he will do great things,” Letang said. This strong endorsement highlights Motta’s rapid rise as a manager, emphasising how Juventus’s decision to hire him was seen as a well-considered move in European football circles. His reputation for adaptability—using 13 different formations in just 14 games so far this season—illustrates a strategic approach that keeps opponents on their toes and his own team constantly evolving. ............ For Motta, this game is also a return to France, where he enjoyed the longest tenure of his playing career with PSG. His familiarity with the strengths and style of Ligue 1 teams could benefit Juventus in navigating Lille’s high-stakes home advantage. Motta has shown he knows how to set up his team for success under pressure, but Lille’s strong performances in this year’s competition make them formidable opponents. As Juventus continues its Champions League journey, their clash with Lille will test Motta’s tactical flexibility and Juventus’s ability to establish themselves as a top European team this season. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/lille-president-heaps-praise-on-motta-and-says-juventus-made-the-right-choice/

Koopmeiners forced to sleep on couch for 20 days due to rib fracture Juventus midfielder Teun Koopmeiners was forced to sleep on the couch for 20 days due to pain from a rib fracture. The Netherlands midfielder missed the latest international break with his national team last month after suffering a rib fracture in a Serie A match against Cagliari. He was ruled out of Juventus’ matches against Lazio, VfB Stuttgart, and Inter but returned to action against Parma last week. ............ This affected the player’s rest, not to mention that Koopmeiners had to play with rib protection in recent appearances with his club. ............ . Read more -> https://football-italia.net/juventus-star-sleep-couch-20-days-fracture/

Douglas Luiz could be set for shock return to Aston Villa in January Douglas Luiz hasn’t settled in at Juventus after his big-money move from Aston Villa. After putting in poor performances and giving away multiple penalties for Juve, he picked up an injury. He wasn’t in the team’s squad for the game against Udinese at the weekend and the feeling was that he is continuing to nurse a muscle issue. ............ As doubts increase about his tactical suitability, Juve are already considering Parma’s Adrian Bernabe as a replacement. At the same time, Juve also want Douglas Luiz to regain confidence and there is a suggestion that he could return in January to Aston Villa on loan. ............ . Read more -> https://sportwitness.co.uk/from-italy-douglas-luiz-could-be-set-for-shock-return-to-aston-villa-in-january/