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Champions League Preview: Club Brugge vs Juventus – Team News, Line-ups & Prediction Brimming with confidence after a derby win against Milan last weekend, Juventus head into the penultimate round of the UEFA Champions League first phase in high spirits. Thiago Motta’s charges travel to the Jan Breydel Stadium to take on Belgian champions Club Brugge in a must-win fixture. ............ Juventus stunned perennial Premier League champions Manchester City 2-0 in their last Champions League outing, courtesy of second-half strikes from Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie. In doing so, Motta’s men have closed the gap on eighth-placed Lille to only two points with two games to go. As such, anything other than victory in Bruges would effectively rule Juventus out of the race for automatic knockout qualification. However, the hosts will not go down without a fight as they boast a three-point lead on 25th-placed Paris Saint-Germain following a spirited 2-1 home triumph against Sporting CP last time out. Beating Juventus would seal Club Brugge’s playoff berth. Nicky Hayen’s lads head into proceedings in a buoyant mood after a 4-2 home win against domestic rivals Beerschot VA extended their winning streak in all competitions to five matches. Match Preview Club Brugge ............ Juventus Juventus’ win against Pep Guardiola’s side halted their unenviable three-game winless run in the Champions League (D2, L1), eclipsing their scoring tally from those three matches. Moreover, they’ve kept a clean sheet in back-to-back European fixtures, increasing the likelihood of shutting out Brugge’s uneventful frontline. Motta breathed a sigh of relief last Saturday as the win against Milan arrested his side’s four-game winless streak in all competitions (D3, L1). Indeed, it’s been a season of stalemates for Juventus, whose 62% of Serie A matches have ended all square. Furthermore, six of their last seven away games have finished level (W1). That sequence includes draws against Aston Villa and Lille in this competition, with Juventus failing to score from open play on both occasions. However, the record-time Italian champions have broken the deadlock in their last four competitive outings on the road, highlighting the potential for a quick-fire start. Team News ............ As for Juventus, long-term absentees Arkadiusz Milik, Juan Cabal, and Gleison Bremer remain unavailable for selection. Kenan Yildiz picked up a minor injury against Milan and could surrender his place in the starting XI to Francisco Conceicao, who’s on the verge of returning to the squad. Club Brugge vs Juventus Potential Starting Line-ups Club Brugge (6-3-1): Mignolet; Sabbe, Ordonez, Mechele, De Cuyper; Onyedika, Jashari; Vetlesen, Vanaken, Skoras; Jutgla. Juventus (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; McKennie, Kalulu, Gatti, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Thuram; Gonzalez, Koopmeiners, Mbangula; Vlahovic. Club Brugge vs Juventus Prediction Juventus have only won back-to-back matches three times this season, underscoring a notorious lack of consistency under Motta. Despite not losing away from home since April 2024, ten of their 15 road trips in that sequence have ended level (D5). Therefore, a share of the spoils wouldn’t surprise us. Prediction: Draw . Read more -> https://cultofcalcio.com/champions-league-preview-club-brugge-vs-juventus-team-news-line-ups-prediction/

Club Brugge vs Juventus: Preview and Prediction Club Brugge and Juventus will aim to break into the top eight of the UEFA Champions League standings on Tuesday night. Club Brugge enter this crucial Champions League clash against Juventus in outstanding form, boasting an 18-match unbeaten streak across all competitions. With 15 wins during this stretch, the Belgian champions are firing on all cylinders and know that a victory on Tuesday would secure them a spot in at least the playoffs. Their prolific attack has been the hallmark of their success, having scored in all but one of their last 30 matches. ............ Historically, Brugge have struggled against Italian sides, with Belgium’s last Champions League win over a Serie A team dating back to 2003. However, with a vibrant attack and an unbeaten streak fueling their confidence, Nicky Hayen’s men will aim to change the narrative and continue their charge toward the knockout rounds. Juventus, much like their Belgian counterparts, have been difficult to beat this season. The Serie A giants remain undefeated domestically, and their 2-0 win over AC Milan last weekend served as a much-needed confidence boost for coach Thiago Motta. Goals from Timothy Weah and rising star Samuel Mbangula secured the victory, providing a swift response to their Supercoppa Italiana semifinal disappointment. Despite their domestic consistency, the Bianconeri have been plagued by an inability to hold onto leads, letting advantages slip on several occasions this season. This trend was evident in recent Serie A draws against Fiorentina, Torino, and Atalanta BC, as well as in their Supercoppa loss to Milan. Nevertheless, Juventus have shown flashes of their best in the Champions League. A commanding 2-0 win over Manchester City in their last group-phase match highlighted their potential, with Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie on target. Currently sitting 14th in the group-phase standings with 11 points, Juve must deliver against Brugge to strengthen their hopes of automatic qualification for the knockout stage. Team News & Tactics Club Brugge ............ Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Mignolet; Sabbe, Ordonez, Mechele, De Cuyper; Onyedika, Jashari; Vetlesen, Vanaken, Skoras; Jutgla Juventus Juventus may be set to hand Dusan Vlahovic his first start of 2025, as the Serbian striker, who has been directly involved in eight goals in 12 Champions League appearances, made a substitute appearance in their victory over AC Milan on Saturday. However, Turkish teenager Kenan Yildiz could miss out after being substituted at half-time against Milan due to an adductor injury. If Yildiz is ruled out, he will join long-term absentees Arkadiusz Milik, Juan Cabal, and Bremer on the sidelines. On a positive note, Thiago Motta could welcome Francisco Conceicao back to the squad after a four-game absence, though the winger’s absence has been mitigated by the excellent form of academy graduate Samuel Mbangula in his debut season. In terms of formation, Juventus are likely to deploy a 4-2-3-1 setup. Michele Di Gregorio will feature as the goalkeeper, protected by a back four consisting of Weston McKennie, Pierre Kalulu, Federico Gatti, and Andrea Cambiaso. Manuel Locatelli and Khephren Thuram are expected to anchor the midfield, offering stability and control. In the advanced roles, Nico Gonzalez, Teun Koopmeiners, and Samuel Mbangula will provide creativity and attacking threat behind the lone striker Dusan Vlahovic, who will lead the line and aim to convert chances into goals. Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; McKennie, Kalulu, Gatti, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Thuram; Gonzalez, Koopmeiners, Mbangula; Vlahovic Key Stats All four meetings between Club Brugge and Juventus have occurred in the European Cup/UEFA Champions League. Juventus have won three of these encounters (W3 L1), including home and away victories the last time they met in the same edition (2-1 away and 1-0 at home in the 2005/06 season). Club Brugge won their first three games against Italian sides in major European competitions during the 1975/76 UEFA Cup. However, since then, they have struggled against Italian opposition, managing only two wins in their subsequent 20 fixtures (D6 L12), and they are winless in their last 14 matches against Italian clubs. The last time a Belgian team defeated an Italian side in the UEFA Champions League was in October 2003, when Club Brugge edged AC Milan 1-0. Since that win, Italian sides have gone unbeaten in 14 such matches against Belgian clubs, winning 10 and drawing four. Club Brugge have won three of their six UEFA Champions League group-stage matches this season (D1 L2). They have only surpassed this tally once, winning five matches in their historic 1977-78 European Cup campaign when they reached the final before losing to Liverpool. Juventus have kept clean sheets in each of their last two UEFA Champions League matches. This is an improvement compared to their previous 15 games in the competition, during which they managed only one clean sheet. The last time they kept three consecutive clean sheets in the Champions League was in September/October 2021. Player to Watch Teun Koopmeiners The Dutch midfield maestro has quickly become a pivotal figure in Juventus’s lineup under Thiago Motta. Known for his exceptional vision, passing accuracy, and ability to dictate the tempo of the game, Koopmeiners will be crucial in Juventus’s quest for dominance against Club Brugge. His knack for threading precise through balls and contributing defensively in critical moments makes him an indispensable asset in both halves of the pitch. ............ Prediction Club Brugge 1-1 Juventus This match pits two in-form teams against each other, with both vying for a crucial top-eight finish. Club Brugge’s attacking threat and home advantage make them formidable, while Juventus’s resilience and defensive solidity provide a strong counterpoint. While Brugge have the firepower to trouble Juve, the Bianconeri’s experience and quality in tight European matches could see them eke out a result. Expect a hard-fought battle, with a draw being a likely outcome. . Read more -> https://thehardtackle.com/round-up/2025/01/21/club-brugge-vs-juventus-preview-and-prediction/

Champions League - Club Brugge v Juventus: Match Preview As the UEFA Champions League league phase nears its conclusion, Club Brugge and Juventus prepare for a crucial encounter at the Jan Breydelstadion on Tuesday evening. Both teams are vying for a coveted top-eight finish, with Juventus currently holding a slim one-point advantage over the Belgian champions. Club Brugge enter this match riding an extraordinary 18-game unbeaten streak across all competitions, with 15 victories to their name. The Blauw-Zwart have been a force to be reckoned with, finding the net in 29 of their last 30 matches. ............ Juventus, while undefeated in Serie A, have struggled with consistency. The Turin giants have drawn over half of their 29 games across all competitions, often squandering leads. However, their recent 2-0 victory over AC Milan, with goals from Timothy Weah and rising star Samuel Mbangula, has injected new life into their campaign. In the Champions League, Juventus sit 14th in the league-phase table with 11 points, just two shy of automatic qualification for the last 16. Their last European outing saw them overcome Manchester City 2-0, with top scorer Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie finding the net. The history between these two clubs in European competition is limited but intriguing. All four previous meetings have occurred in UEFA’s top club tournament, with Juventus winning three. However, Club Brugge emerged victorious on aggregate in the 1978 European Cup semi-finals, adding an element of historical revenge to this encounter. Team News ............ For Juventus, Dusan Vlahovic could make his first start of 2025. However, Turkish teenager Kenan Yildiz is doubtful after sustaining an adductor injury. Thiago Motta hopes to have Francisco Conceicao back in contention, though Samuel Mbangula’s excellent form may keep him in the starting lineup. Expected Starting XIs Club Brugge: Mignolet; Sabbe, Ordonez, Mechele, De Cuyper; Onyedika, Jashari; Vetlesen, Vanaken, Skoras; Jutgla Juventus: Di Gregorio; McKennie, Kalulu, Gatti, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Thuram; Gonzalez, Koopmeiners, Mbangula; Vlahovic Match Prediction While Club Brugge’s home form and recent goal-scoring record are impressive, Juventus has shown a knack for second-half comebacks in the Champions League this season. The Italian side’s experience in high-stakes European fixtures could prove crucial. Expect a closely contested match with Juventus potentially edging out a 2-1 victory, dealing a blow to Club Brugge’s top-eight aspirations while boosting their own chances of automatic qualification. Prediction: Club Brugge 1-2 Juventus . Read more -> https://www.footitalia.com/champions-league-club-brugge-v-juventus-match-preview/

Triple boost for Thiago Motta as Juventus trio resume training ahead of Champions League clash Juventus coach Thiago Motta will be able to rely on Kenan Yildiz, Weston McKennie and Francisco Conceicao in tomorrow’s Champions League contest. The Bianconeri held their breath when Yildiz suffered an injury scare during Saturday’s contest against Milan. The Turkish was seen clutching his leg in agony after aiming a shot at Mike Maignan’s goal towards the end of the first half. ............ Yildiz avoided any muscular injuries, and was already spotted in training on Monday. Therefore the attacker should join the travelling party that will head to Belgium to take on Club Brugge. The two clubs will lock horns on Tuesday night in the penultimate matchday of the Champions League group stage. Similar to Yildiz, McKennie has also overcome a problem he sustained against Milan to resume training alongside his teammates. ............ Moreover, Conceicao has finally shrugged off his muscle problem to return to group training. The Portuguese winger suffered a knock while warming up ahead of the semi-final of the Italian Super Cup a few weeks back. In addition to these injury boosts, Motta also welcomed Randal Kolo Muani to the fold for the first time. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/triple-boost-for-thiago-motta-as-juventus-trio-resume-training-ahead-of-champions-league-clash/

Kelly or Hancko – Which defender is better for Juventus? Juventus wanted to sign Lloyd Kelly as a free agent from Bournemouth in the summer, but he chose to join Newcastle United. The Englishman could be on the move again this month after failing to establish himself in the Newcastle team. ............ Another defender that Juve wants to sign is David Hancko from Feyenoord, and both have a similar profile, meaning Juve wants them for almost the same reason. Like Hancko, Kelly is a left-footed defender adept at playing as a centre-back or as a left-back, so they both offer the Bianconeri versatility, which Thiago Motta values in his players. Juve is struggling to sign both stars after Newcastle United and Feyenoord rejected loan approaches for both players. ............ Hancko gets more game time now and is probably up to speed with the season, meaning he can contribute immediately. However, Kelly is a fine player who should also not need much time to get up to speed if he completes the move to the Allianz Stadium. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/kelly-or-hancko-which-defender-is-better-for-juventus/

Juventus make U-turn on Man City & Cambiaso saga Juventus have reportedly had a change of heart regarding Andrea Cambiaso who has emerged as primary transfer target for Manchester City. ............ Ahead of the club’s big showdown against Milan on Saturday night, Juventus Football Director Cristiano Giuntoli was interrogated about this particular track. The 52-year-old insisted that the Bianconeri have yet to receive a concrete offer, but admitted that the management is willing to consider proposals. It was also been claimed in recent hours that Man City are preparing to splash 65 million euros while Juventus are holding out for 80 million. ............ But on Monday afternoon, the Italian club has changed its strategy, and now intends to retain the services of the Genoa youth product. The hierarchy is no longer willing to sacrifice any of the club’s key players, at least not in the middle of the season. The source claims that Cambiaso is thus set to stay at Juventus, unless the club were to receive an irresistible offer, without identifying what this figure would be. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/sky-juventus-make-u-turn-on-man-city-cambiaso-saga/

Man City agree terms with Cambiaso but Juventus holding out for more Manchester City have reportedly struck an agreement with Andrea Cambiaso but must still convince Juventus to part ways with their influential star. ............ The 24-year-old was on the pitch for the duration of the clash against Milan on Saturday, and many are wondering if this is to be his final act at the Allianz Stadium. The Italy international is expected to travel with the team to Belgium for their upcoming Champions League fixture against Club Brugge, but whether he’ll be around for the weekend showdown in Napoli is anyone’s guess at this point, especially with Man City accelerating their attempts. ............ Nevertheless, Man City still have to find an accord with Juventus. As the Bianconeri Football Director Cristiano Giuntoli revealed on Saturday, the club has yet to receive an official offer, and if a proposal does indeed arrive, the club will carefully evaluate it. The English giants are ready to offer 65 million euros including bonuses, while Juventus are holding out for 80 million. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/report-man-city-agree-terms-with-cambiaso-but-juventus-holding-out-for-more/

How Milan defender Tomori responded to Thiago Motta’s phone call Thiago Motta reportedly invited Milan defender Fikayo Tomori to join him at Juventus in a recent phone call. ............ But while signing Kalulu proved to be a swift and clear-cut operation last summer, luring his old partner-in-crime has been a more complex mission, especially following the arrival of Sergio Conceicao who restored Tomori’s starting role. ............ The Juventus manager called Tomori in an attempt to convince him to join his project. The Italian Brazilian tactician explained what plans he has in store for the former Chelsea man. However, the pink newspaper claims that Tomori reiterated his desire to stay at Milan, thus snubbing Motta’s approach. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/how-milan-defender-tomori-responded-to-thiago-mottas-phone-call/

Juventus in talks with Chelsea for young defender Juventus have reportedly joined Borussia Dortmund in the race to sign young Chelsea defender Renato Veiga. ............ Over the past few weeks, their main options have been Fikayo Tomori, David Hancko, Antonio Silva and Ronald Araujo, but they haven’t been able to find the breakthrough on any of these tracks for various reasons. Therefore, new names have surfaced on the scene in recent days, including the likes of Lilian Brassier and Thomas Kristensen. Juventus have set their sights on Veiga who is seeing little playing time at Chelsea. The 21-year-old is a Sporting CP youth product who had his breakout campaign last season at FC Basel, which earned him a move to Stamford Bridge in the summer. The Portuguese is a centre-back by trade, but is being deployed at left-back by Enzo Maresca, and often making appearances in the Conference League and the other cup competitions. ............ Moreover, Juventus are simultaneously following Newcastle United’s Lloyd Kelly, reveals Romano. After all, one new defender would not suffice at this stage. On Sunday, reports claimed that the Bianconeri are keen to sign the 26-year-old who has yet to cement himself as a regular starter with the Magpies. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/fabrizio-romano-juventus-in-talks-with-chelsea-for-young-defender/

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Motta should find a way to play Nicolas Gonzalez and Dusan Vlahovic together Juventus is reportedly on the verge of completing a deal to sign Randal Kolo Muani in the coming days, a move that would add another striker to their attacking options. This development comes at a crucial time for the Bianconeri, who have long required reinforcements in the forward line, having relied heavily on Dusan Vlahovic throughout the season. ............ Although Gonzalez has been an admirable deputy, he is not a prolific scorer like Vlahovic. Fans have voiced their desire for more goals from whoever leads the line, yet Gonzalez contributes in ways that extend beyond goals. His technical ability, intelligent movement, and knack for picking the right pass make him a valuable asset. By creating space and linking play effectively, Gonzalez allows his teammates to thrive around him. ............ The prospect of pairing Gonzalez with Vlahovic is an exciting one for Juventus supporters. Gonzalez’s off-the-ball movement and creativity could complement Vlahovic’s more traditional goalscoring prowess. Opposing defences would face a dilemma over which player to focus on, potentially opening up opportunities for both attackers. This dynamic partnership could bring an element of unpredictability to Juventus’ attack, forcing opponents to adapt to the Bianconeri’s fluid play. Additionally, the presence of both players on the pitch would not only benefit each other but also provide openings for other attacking players. By occupying defenders and creating space, Gonzalez and Vlahovic could help teammates find better positions to score, enhancing Juventus’ overall offensive output. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/motta-should-find-a-way-to-play-nicolas-gonzalez-and-dusan-vlahovic-together/

Preview: Club Brugge vs. Juventus - prediction, team news, lineups Both hoping to sneak inside the all-important top eight, Club Brugge and Juventus convene at Jan Breydelstadion on Tuesday evening, as the Champions League makes its return. As the inaugural league phase approaches its conclusion, both sides are just outside the automatic qualification places, with Juve holding a one-point advantage over the Belgian champions. Match preview Unbeaten in 18 games across all competitions, having won 15, Club Brugge resume their Champions League campaign in sparkling form, knowing that another victory in midweek would secure at least a place in the playoffs. ............ All four meetings between Club Brugge and Juventus to date have come in UEFA's top club tournament, with the Serie A side winning three times so far - though they lost on aggregate in the 1978 European Cup semi-finals. ............ Like Tuesday's hosts, the Turin giants have proven tough to beat this season, and they are still undefeated in Italy's top flight after a 2-0 win over Milan at the weekend: Timothy Weah and rising star Samuel Mbangula both scored after the break to quickly avenge Juve's recent defeat in the Supercoppa Italiana. That result came as a huge relief for under-fire coach Thiago Motta, whose team have drawn over half of their 29 games across all competitions, letting leads slip on no fewer than seven occasions. In addition to fluffing an advantage against Milan in the Supercoppa semis, Juventus had also failed to convert from a winning position in all of their previous three league matches - against Fiorentina, city rivals Torino in the Derby della Mole, and then away to Atalanta BC. While the Bianconeri therefore lie 13 points behind Serie A leaders Napoli, they are still well-placed to progress in the Champions League, having signed off for 2024 by beating an ailing Manchester City side 2-0 on home turf. Top scorer Dusan Vlahovic and utility man Weston McKennie both found the net, leaving Motta's men 14th in the league-phase table on 11 points - just two adrift of automatic qualification for the last 16. ............ Team News ............ Meanwhile, Juventus could give Dusan Vlahovic his first start of 2025, as the Serbian striker appeared as a substitute in Saturday's win over Milan. To date, Vlahovic has been directly involved in eight goals in 12 Champions League appearances. However, Turkish teenager Kenan Yildiz - who has one goal and an assist in this season's league phase - was taken off at half time with an adductor injury, so he could join long-term absentees Arkadiusz Milik, Juan Cabal and Bremer on the sidelines. Thiago Motta hopes to have Francisco Conceicao back in the fold after a four-game layoff, though the tricky winger has hardly been missed, as Club Brugge academy graduate Samuel Mbangula continues to excel in his rookie campaign. Club Brugge possible starting lineup: Mignolet; Sabbe, Ordonez, Mechele, De Cuyper; Onyedika, Jashari; Vetlesen, Vanaken, Skoras; Jutgla Juventus possible starting lineup: Di Gregorio; McKennie, Kalulu, Gatti, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Thuram; Gonzalez, Koopmeiners, Mbangula; Vlahovic We say: Club Brugge 1-2 Juventus Though Juve's first two Champions League goals this season were scored during the first half, all seven since have arrived after the break. They also struck twice during the second half against Milan last time out, so even if Club Brugge go in front, the Bianconeri can fight back and claim maximum points. . Read more -> https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/club-brugge/champions-league/preview/preview-brugge-vs-juventus-prediction-team-news-lineups_563341.html

The latest updates on Yildiz, McKennie & Conceicao ahead of Brugge trip In the penultimate matchday of the Champions League group stage, Juventus will take on Club Brugge away from home. The Bianconeri are coming off a morale-boosting victory over Milan on Saturday, but the outcome also entailed two injury concerns, as Kenan Yildiz and Weston McKennie both picked up knocks during the contest. The Turkiye international had sustained an adductor problem while attempting a shot on Mike Maignan’s goal late in the first half. ............ The 19-year-old is still expected to show up at the J|Medical Centre to undergo the necessary tests on Monday. He will also be evaluated by Thiago Motta and the technical staff to find out whether he can pull off an immediate return to action and join the trip to Brugge. McKennie is also in the same boat after suffering a strain during the clash against the Rossoneri on Sunday. ............ Finally, the source reveals that Francisco Conceicao continued to work separately on Sunday, but he’ll be hoping to pick up the pace and rejoin his teammate in group training to earn himself a spot in the squad. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/the-latest-updates-on-yildiz-mckennie-conceicao-ahead-of-brugge-trip/

Kolo Muani to Juventus: PSG’s Strategy for Green Light Within 24 Hours The transfer saga of Randal Kolo Muani to Juventus continues, with both clubs now in a waiting game. While the move is not in doubt, it requires more time – potentially just one more day – to be finalized. Paris Saint-Germain, having completed their away match against Lens yesterday, are now focusing on creating a free spot for the striker who is already considered a Juventus player, albeit unofficially. Currently, the most viable option for PSG appears to be recalling young Italian player Ndour from his loan at Besiktas. ............ If all goes according to plan, the issue could be resolved within 24 hours, potentially allowing Kolo Muani to join Thiago Motta’s squad in time for the Napoli match. Interestingly, had the final paperwork been completed earlier, Motta might have considered starting Kolo Muani immediately. Now, it seems the striker’s debut for Juventus could likely occur at the Stadio Maradona. . Read more -> https://www.footitalia.com/kolo-muani-to-juventus-psgs-strategy-for-green-light-within-24-hours/

Milan set two key conditions to sell Tomori to Juventus Juventus could finally get the defender they’ve been seeking for months, as Milan could reportedly allow Fikayo Tomori to leave in January. ............ Milan would be willing to offload Tomori in January if Juventus were to meet their conditions. First, the Diavolo are seeking a deal worth at least 25 million euros. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Co. are unwilling to sell the former Chelsea man for lower figures. Moreover, Milan insist on a loan with an obligation to buy at the end of the season. Hence, the Italian giants are adopting a more rigid approach compared to the summer when they accepted to send Pierre Kalulu to Turin on loan with an option to buy. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/milan-set-two-key-conditions-to-sell-tomori-to-juventus/

Not only Cambiaso – Man City enquire about another Juventus star In addition to their oncoming onslaught for Andrea Cambiaso, Manchester City are reportedly interested in Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz. ............ He eventually hit stardom during his time at Aston Villa, and his exploits earned him a big move to Juventus for 50 million euros (the sum included the values of Enzo Barrenechea and Samuel Iling-Junior who headed in the opposite direction). ............ Juventus are only willing to part ways with the summer signing on a permanent deal if they were to receive a lucrative bid, or at least a loan deal that includes an obligation to buy. The creative midfielder has yet to hit his stride in Turin, as his first half of the season was plagued by physical problems and included a two-month layoff due to a muscle injury. Hence, he has yet to carve himself a starting role in Thiago Motta’s formation. . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/not-only-cambiaso-man-city-enquire-about-another-juventus-star/

Man City can help Juventus land one of their main targets in merry-go-round Juventus, Milan and Manchester City are entangled in a transfer triangle that could unlock the Fikayo Tomori operation. ............ The Rossoneri are on the cusp of signing Kyle Walker. So according to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, the arrival of the experienced and versatile Englishman could free up his compatriot Tomori who could thus reconnect with Pierre Kalulu in Turin. ............ “Juventus are accelerating for Fikayo Tomori. The Bianconeri are ready to intensify contacts with Milan and the player in the next few hours, looking for an agreement to bring the English defender to Turin,” said Di Marzio. “The negotiation is part of a market plot that also involves Kyle Walker, Manchester City defender, a target for Milan. The Rossoneri, in fact, are preparing an official offer to the English club for the right-back, proposing a loan with an option to buy, already anticipating Tomori’s exit.” ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/sky-man-city-can-help-juventus-land-one-of-their-main-targets-in-merry-go-round/

Giuntoli provides updates on Kolo Muani & Cambiaso operations Juventus Football Director Cristiano Giuntoli discussed the ongoing transfer sagas of Randal Kolo Muani and Andrea Cambiaso. ............ The Serie A giants struck an accord with Paris Saint-Germain over a dry loan and also agreed terms with the 26-year-old striker who landed in Turin on Wednesday and finalized his medical on Thursday. And yet, we’re still waiting for the official confirmation. It has been recently revealed that a bureaucratic hurdle on PSG’s end has postponed the announcement, leaving the player furious with his parent club that has already omitted him from their plans in recent weeks under the orders of head coach Luis Enrique. For his part, Giuntoli confirms this development, while insisting that the deal remains very much on. “There’s a bureaucratic hitch, but it will be resolved during the week,” said the Juventus director in his interview ahead of Saturday’s Serie A showdown against Milan. Naturally, Giuntoli was asked about the future of Cambiaso who has been heavily linked with a January transfer to Manchester City. ............ “There is no negotiation at the moment. We want to make an incoming market to fill the gaps, we are not thinking about exits. The offer has not arrived, if it does we will think about it.” ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/giuntoli-provides-updates-on-kolo-muani-cambiaso-operations/

Mottaball unleashed: Juventus dominate AC Milan from start to finish We were told it was coming. We were told that things were slowly coming together. That the players were showing good signs. That the team looked fantastic on the training pitch, and just needed to translate it to match day. That everything would come together and we’d see the kind of flowing football that we saw Thiago Motta conjure at Bologna over the last two years. ............ On Saturday night, Mottaball finally arrived. Juve went out against AC Milan and avenged their Supercoppa Italiana crash-out two weeks ago by dominating wire to wire. They harrassed them with an unrelenting press that forced Milan into mistake after mistake. They never let their opponents breathe, often recovering the ball within seconds of losing it. As the game continued, Juve’s grip tightened, and a goal started looking like more and more of an inevitability. It finally came just before the hour mark, and then the cherry on top: they kept going, kept pushing, and added to the lead in just five minutes, putting the game away before they saw the rest of it out, adding the exclamation point of a must-needed clean sheet in a 2-0 win at the Allianz Stadium. It was Juve’s first win since beating Monza on Dec. 23, their first clean sheet since beating Cagliari in the Coppa Italia Round of 16 five days before that, and their first clean sheet in the league since Nov. 23, when these same two teams played out an insipid goalless draw at the San Siro. It was the day things finally came together — hopefully the first of many. ............ The match began as if it had been shot out of a cannon. Mbangula attacked the suspect Emerson early, hitting a cross that just flew over Yildiz’s head—then produced a tremendous counterattack that saw Reijnders put a good ball into Leão, but his attempt at a back-heel flick failed to do anything. ............ The numbers at the end of the half were staggering. Juve had attempted 362 passes to Milan’s 170, and completed them at a 95 percent rate. Locatelli led the way, dropping deep between the center-backs to orchestrate things before moving up to continue to pull strings closer to the box. Yildiz made way for Timothy Weah at the break. The game came out of the half more subdued than it was at the start of the match, but the game rhythm quickly settled back into what it had been before. Juve forced turnovers seemingly every time Milan touched the ball. It started with a nifty exchange on the sideline between McKennie and Koopmeiners. He pushed it upfield to Thuram, who laid it off with his first touch to González. The Argentine feigned a shot before sliding it to the left to Mbangula. The winger looked for one of his far-post curlers, but it deflected off Emerson, wrong-footing Maignan, who could only flail at the ball with his trailing hand while it flew past him. ............ Right back on the front foot, Juve kept pushing, and within minutes had the second goal that has so often eluded them. Mbangula started the move this time, jumping on a heavy touch by Fofana and allowing Thuram to recover the ball and send Weah screaming down the field. He opened up a shooting lane with a quick twist and then fired across goal past Maignan, who was convinced he’d go near post and was completely rooted to his spot as the ball rolled right past him and into the net. ............ LE PAGELLE MICHELE DI GREGORIO - 6.5. Had nothing to do in the second half — literally, Milan didn’t record a shot on target in the second period — but made a couple of great saves in the first to keep the game tied and allow Juve to continue executing the game plan without having to force things by playing catchup. WESTON McKENNIE - 6. ............ FEDERICO GATTI - 7. Made not one, but two clearances off the line in that chaotic sequence in front of the Juve goal at the half-hour mark. Add in two interceptions and a 98.1 percent pass completion rate, and you have a very good day. PIERRE KALULU - 7. Continued to torment the team that gave up on him, playing solid defense and working to recover possession quickly to snuff out counterattacks. Blocked a pair of shots as well. ANDREA CAMBIASO - 6.5. ............ MANUEL LOCATELLI - 8. Maybe the best game he’s played at Juventus, ironically coming against the club that raised him. He didn’t have any direct contributions to shots or goals, but the way he orchestrated the team coming out of the press was amazing. He completed 12 of 15 long balls, added in a pair of tackles, and made the block on that early corner kick play by Reijnders. This is the Locatelli we bought from Sassuolo. KHEPHREN THURAM - 6.5. ............ KENAN YILDIZ - 6. Had a key pass and completed 94.4 percent of all his passes, including three of three at long-range. His defensive work was a big part of Juve’s early press. But he really should have scored late in the first half. Perhaps the injury that forced him off the field altered how he took it (you could see immediately that that was when he felt it). Feel better soon, Kenan. TEUN KOOPMEINERS - 6. Led the team with three tackles, which tells you just how far forward Juve was forcing Milan to make mistakes. He also led the team in shots, but put just one of four on target. It was far from his worst, but he’s still not quite at his best. SAMUEL MBANGULA - 8. He’s started to really take off. He was a constant threat, especially against the substandard defending of Emerson Royal. His goal got help from the deflection, but I’m not 100 percent convinced that the shot he intended to take would have missed. Active without the ball as well, including winning the ball that Thuram and Weah turned into the second goal. NICO GONZÁLEZ - 6.5. ............ SUBS TIMOTHY WEAH - 7.5. He was a huge threat the moment he stepped onto the pitch. Forced Maignan into a save early, then took his goal beautifully, keeping the Milan keeper rooted to his spot. His defensive work shouldn’t go unnoticed either — two tackles, two interceptions, and a clearance. DOUGLAS LUIZ - 6. ............ DUSAN VLAHOVIC - NR. ............ NICOLÒ FAGIOLI - NR. ............ VASILIJE ADZIC - NR. ............ MANAGER ANALYSIS This was what it was all building up to. This was Mottaball. Everything we’d been expecting to see, everything we’d been assured we would eventually see, blossomed in this game. The ferocious press that gave Milan absolutely no time to breathe and completely discombobulated them to the point that they could barely complete simple tasks on the field. Winning the ball upfield to have a shorter line of attack. The quick passes and off-ball movement pulling defenses apart. The desire to kill games quickly instead of backing off to defend after scoring. All the things we saw his Bologna do that made him so sought-after in the first place were on full display at the Allianz. There has been a lot of talk recently about discontent in the locker room, and that Motta’s support among the players may have been slipping. Clearly, that isn’t the case. A team can’t put their coach’s plans together and execute them so comprehensively if they’re at loggerheads. Motta has been building to this, and though the fits and starts have been frustrating, the end result—at least for tonight—is glorious. Now comes the harder part: he has to keep doing it. As wonderful as Saturday night was, it ultimately won’t mean much if it’s a one-off. Motta needs to keep the team on this trajectory, to make games like this the norm, not the exception. A hot run of form could catapult this team into a comfortable top-four finish and perhaps even set themselves up for a true title challenge next season. The foundation has finally been laid. Now it’s time to start building the house. LOOKING AHEAD Juve’s job doesn’t get any easier over the next few weeks. Juve starts the home stretch in the league phase of the Champions League on Tuesday on the road against Club Brugge, then visit league leaders Napoli (barf) and host Benfica in the league phase finale before coming to a softer landing against Empoli at home and Como away. . Read more -> https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2025/1/19/24346826/juventus-ac-milan-2025-serie-a-matchday-21-final-score-result-match-recap-analysis-thiago-motta

La serie B li aspetta

Timothy Weah reveals what Motta said to him as he came on Timothy Weah made a significant impact after coming on as a second-half substitute in Juventus’ 2-0 victory over AC Milan this evening. The American forward scored one of the goals, helping to secure a crucial win for the Bianconeri and delighting fans with his performance. Weah replaced Kenan Yildiz at the break, a substitution that surprised some supporters. However, the American seized the opportunity, demonstrating his quality and proving to be a reliable option for manager Thiago Motta. Known for his ability to deliver in important moments, Weah underlined why he is one of the players Motta can trust to make a difference. ............ After the game, Weah shared the guidance he received from his manager. He said: “Yes, the coach asked me to make the difference even when I come off the bench. I did it and I’m happy.” ............ The American’s impact not only secured three vital points for Juventus but also reinforced the depth and quality of their squad. As the season progresses, performances like these will be essential if Juventus are to achieve their objectives. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/timothy-weah-reveals-what-motta-said-to-him-as-he-came-on/

Motta insists Juventus was the better team and deserved to win Thiago Motta had no doubts that Juventus were the deserved winners in their clash against AC Milan this evening. The Bianconeri controlled much of the game, while AC Milan relied on counter-attacks, a strategy that put Juve under occasional pressure. However, Juventus rose to the challenge and secured a crucial 2-0 victory. ............ Despite Milan’s confidence in their ability to replicate their earlier success, Juve delivered a commanding performance. They dominated possession, executed their game plan effectively, and scored twice while maintaining solid defensive organisation. This ensured Milan had no realistic opportunity to stage a comeback. After the match, Thiago Motta praised his team’s performance, highlighting their control throughout the 90 minutes. He said: “We were superior in the first half too. We did better than our opponents throughout the match so tonight’s win is deserved. There are mistakes that we need to improve and correct in the next matches. We were good on the pitch, we played 95 minutes with superiority over our opponents. It’s always a great feeling to win a match against a great team and against an opponent who has great players and a very experienced coach.” ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/motta-insists-juventus-was-the-better-team-and-deserved-to-win/

Juventus 2 - AC Milan 0: Initial reaction and random observations For so long, we’ve been waiting for something like this. You got glimpses. You got plenty of frustration and disappointment over these last couple of months as the draws came one after another, too. You saw signs of improvement and intent going forward against Atalanta. On Saturday night, Juventus took things one step further. For the first time in a long time, Juve didn’t just win — they won. with authority. Juventus and Thiago Motta not only got an incredibly much-needed win to end a string of seven draws in their last eight games, but the 2-0 win over AC Milan was very much one of the best performances of this 2024-25 season. ............ There was something different from this Juventus side against Milan. A welcome change. An aggressive change, and one that included plenty of punch both going forward as well as simply forcing Milan into the kinds of mistakes that prevented any sort of comeback. Juventus took the lead through Samuel Mbangula — one of the handful of players who wholeheartedly deserved man of the match recognition — and didn’t stop there. Motta’s squad doubled their lead through Timothy Weah all of five minutes after Mbangula’s opener and done what they’ve lacked so many times over the course of this run where they’ve blown lead after lead — actually add on. ............ Juve played with bite, they played with purpose and they had a game plan that was executed damn well. They forced Milan into turnovers with their press and, at times, made things just a living hell for a team they had lost to just two weeks ago. It’s one step. It’s nothing to get too carried away about just yet. But after so many draws, so many frustrating nights where you wonder both where things are going and if you can come up with any sort of new way to describe it, it sure is nice to see something different — and in a positive way. I sure as hell hope Juventus don’t go another month without a domestic victory. There are certainly some interesting days ahead both on and off the field as this big month of January rolls on. For now, for one night, I can sit here and feel far from frustrated. That is a nice change. That is a welcome change. And I hope there’s more of it during the second half of the season because all of those damn draws make you feel a certain kind of way. RANDOM THOUGHTS AND OBSERVATIONS Hey look! It’s Juventus up into fourth place! ............ Prayer circle for Kenan Yildiz. Let’s hope this muscle injury of his that forced him off at the half is minor and we’re only talking about him potentially missing a very small number of games. I don’t want to think about anything else. Although, the way Weah played after coming on for Yildiz certainly made things a little easier, I guess. We don’t want Yildiz to be hurt, but Weah coming on and having that kind of impact certainly played a big role in Juventus’ second-half performance. Samuel Mbangula, you’re cool and you can stay. It is pretty impressive to see a young player like Mbangula is — he celebrated his 21st birthday on Thursday — bounce back after a relatively quiet run of appearances and now play the way he has the last few weeks. It was always going to be tough to match the way he started his senior career at Juventus, but this is a pretty good way to show that he can be a contributor on this team. ............ Manuel Locatelli’s passing numbers in the first half were just absurd: 71 touches, 63-of-66 on his passing (95%) and 9-for-10 on the long balls he played. That is just silly stuff. And all done in one half. At one point in the first half, Locatelli had more passes into the final third of the field than Milan had as a team. That’s pretty dang impressive on both fronts. Overall, this was Locatelli very much in maestro mode. Goodness did he have a great game. Same goes for the man who plays alongside of him, Khephren Thuram. Maybe not as good as Locatelli, but definitely up there as one of the better performances from those in Juventus jerseys. Teun Koopmeiners had 23 touches in the first half against Atalanta. He had 43 touches in the first half against Milan. Almost like being more involved helps him when it comes to how well he’s playing. ............ If there were any worries about what might be going on in Andrea Cambiaso’s head with all these rumors about his future going on, he certainly didn’t play like it. That was a quality showing at both ends of the field despite all of the outside noise. ............ The way Thiago Motta celebrated Mbangula’s opening goal felt like it had a little extra behind it. Understandable considering how this season has gone — especially of late. So now we see if Juventus can replicate this kind of play against Club Brugge and then Napoli over the course of the next week. Things certainly get a little more interesting and encouraging if they can do just that. . Read more -> https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2025/1/18/24346638/juventus-ac-milan-2025-serie-a-matchday-21-final-score-result-initial-reaction-random-observations