Socrates

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/

The probable Juventus lineup vs Lille: Yildiz & Weah vying for starting berth On Tuesday night, Juventus will be aiming to return to winning ways on the European stage when they take on their hosts Lille on the fourth matchday of the Champions League group stage. ............ Michele Di Gregorio will start between the sticks, with Federico Gatti and Pierre Kalulu ahead of him. Andrea Cambiaso will maintain his usual starting berth, but could be shifted to right-back to make way for Juan Cabal on the left side. The Colombian appears to be the favorite to start, but the source leaves a chance for Nicolo Savona. In the middle of the park, Manuel Locatelli and Khephren Thuram should get the nod once again. ............ Teun Koopmeiners will start ahead of them in the attacking-midfielder role, supporting Dusan Vlahovic who remains the solitary option to lead the line. Finally, Francisco Conceicao will make his return to the starting XI after being benched on the weekend. With the Portuguese locking down a place on the right, Kenan Yildiz and Timothy will compete for the left-winger role. Juventus Probable XI (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Cambiaso, Gatti, Kalulu, Cabal (Savona); Locatelli, Thuram; Conceicao, Koopmeiners, Yildiz/Weah; Vlahovic. . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/the-probable-juventus-lineup-vs-lille-yildiz-weah-vying-for-starting-berth/

LOSC Lille vs Juventus: Preview and Prediction Juventus will hope they do not fall into the LOSC Lille giant-killing trap as they visit France to take on the in-form Ligue 1 side. ............ Much like Lille, Juventus also has six points to their name after a solid start to their season in all competitions. A solid victory at home over PSV Eindhoven opened the Bianconeri’s account in the Champions League, followed by a stellar game away at Leipzig, where they converted their chances for a 3-2 reverse win. However, at the third time of asking, Juventus fumbled at home against VfB Stuttgart, handing the visitors all three points. Thiago Motta will be hopeful of a revival against ‘giant hunters’ Lille, with the need for three points growing extremely important in the context of finishing in the top eight. Back in Italy, Juventus ended a run of two draws with a victory at the weekend over Udinese, which brought them closer to leaders Napoli. However, Motta will focus his total attention on the Champions League battle at hand, as a win seems imperative for the Bianconeri, or else they will come under intense pressure ahead of the next games. Team News & Tactics LOSC Lille ............ Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Chevalier; Toure, Diakite, Mandi, Gudmundsson; Andre, Mukau; Zhegrova, Gomes, Sahraoui; David Juventus Juventus is missing some key starters from the squad, and defensive depth is a big problem for Motta. Federico Gatti and Pierre Kalulu are the likely central defensive options. Nicolo Savona and Andrea Cambiaso. They are missing Gleison Bremer through a season-ending injury, while fellow Danilo is suspended for this clash. Weston McKennie will partner up with Nicolo Fagioli in central midfield, while Teun Koopmeiners is set to take the attacking midfield berth. Nico Gonzalez is also absent from the squad, meaning Francisco Conceicao will continue on the right wing, with Kenan Yildiz likely to feature on the left side of the attack. Dusan Vlahovic will lead the line for Juventus, as the Serb will hope to get on the scoresheet and continue his impressive form in the Champions League. Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Savona, Gatti, Kalulu, Cambiaso; McKennie, Fagioli, Conceicao, Koopmeiners, Yildiz; Vlahovic Key Stats Lille are unbeaten in eight matches in all competitions. Lille have won their last two games in the UEFA Champions League. Lille have won eight of their nine matches at home in the UEFA Champions League. Juventus are unbeaten away from home this season in all competitions. Juventus are the only unbeaten team in Serie A this season. Player to Watch Jonathan David This is a game where some of the top professionals will take the pitch. However, at home, Lille star David will have all the spotlight to himself. Having played a starring role in each of their wins over Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, he will have expectations on his shoulders ahead of this big game with Juventus. ............ Prediction LOSC Lille 2-2 Juventus This game has all the hallmarks for a draw, as these are two teams in decent form facing each other, although Lille has some more impetus on home soil. They have the momentum in the UEFA Champions League and will want to continue that against Juventus. Juventus might have lost the last time out to VfB Stuttgart, and Thiago Motta will make sure they do not suffer a defeat on their visit to France. Hence, this game might have goals, and it does appear that, given the two teams’ current form, it will probably end in an entertaining draw. . Read more -> https://thehardtackle.com/round-up/2024/11/05/losc-lille-vs-juventus-preview-and-prediction/

Official Juventus Squad for Lille clash: Douglas Luiz returns ............ Thiago Motta has received a boost as Douglas Luiz has returned to the squad. The Brazilian has been out of action since suffering a muscle problem during the warm-ups ahead of the Stuttgart clash. The 26-year-old thus remained on the sidelines during the last three Serie A contests against Inter, Parma and Udinese. This morning, the midfielder returned to training alongside his teammates, and managed to prove his fitness. Therefore, Motta decided to add him to the squad. ............ On the other hand, Nico Gonzalez hasn’t recovered from his muscle injury yet. The Argentine is now targetting a return to action in the weekend’s Derby della Mole against Torino. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/official-juventus-squad-for-lille-clash-douglas-luiz-returns/