Socrates

Juventus 4 - Wydad Casablanca 1: Initial reaction and random observations Juventus’ Club World Cup-opening victory over Al Ain this past Wednesday night was very much about the collective of the attacking trio sharing the goal scoring load. Four days later, it was not three players combining to score five goals and leading Juventus to victory. Instead, it was Juventus’ No. 10 playing the leading role at the home of the reigning Super Bowl champions. On a day when Kenan Yildiz scored a hat trick but only got credit for two of those goals, Juve’s young rising star from Turkiye was the go-to man time and time again. The two goals that he got credit for were two of the best goals we’ve seen a Juventus player score over the past 12 months, with his brace (and shoulda-been hat trick) leading the Bianconeri to a 4-1 win over Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca on a steamy Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia. It was Juventus’ second win by three or more goals in as many games to begin the Club World Cup, giving them a nice potential advantage of goal differential heading into next week’s group stage finale in Orlando assuming Manchester City doesn’t absolutely steamroll Al Ain even more than Juve did in their tournament opener. ............ It’s always going to be Yildiz. With so much else uncertain at the club, there is a 20-year-old star in the making who has become the biggest reason for hope ever since he made his senior team debut a year and a half ago. So much so you’ve already got memes popping up on the internet about how important he is to this team in this current moment — which, on top of being handed the No. 10 jersey while he was still 19 years old, probably isn’t too far form the truth. The thing is, Yildiz has shown he’s more than willing to deliver. He scored in his first-ever Club World Cup appearance. That is added to the list of scoring in his first Serie A start, in his first Champions League start, in his first Coppa Italia start and his first Supercoppa start. ............ His first goal, although still technically an own goal, was a nifty little finish, even if it did take a rather large deflection. His second goal was an banger if there ever was one, and the sole reason why I got a text from Sam a few weeks ago saying he was going to wait on his Best Goals of the Season list just in case we got something good from the Club World Cup. His third goal, although technically his second, was just so good because he see him pull the brakes on the man marking him, watches him go by, take another little touch to compose himself and then finish it easy. That’s just the growing repertoire of Yildiz on full display — and he’s showing that he can hurt you in so many different ways as a goal scorer. There of course will be those who said “Well, it’s just Wydad” just as they said “Well, it’s just Al Ain” a few days ago. That’s fine. But let’s not diminish what Yildiz has done to open this tournament no matter who Juventus’ first two opponents have been. It’s not like this Club World Cup group stage was ever going to see Juve play a big-name club every time they stepped onto the field, and facing Al Ain and Wydad in the first two fixtures allowed Yildiz and the entire team to try and get some serious momentum going heading into their meeting with Manchester City to close out the group stage. So here we are, through the first two group stage fixtures, and Juve’s got nine goals to their name and have a very good chance of finishing atop Group G with a positive result against City next week. ............ RANDOM THOUGHTS AND OBSERVATIONS Seriously, though ... FIFA, just give Yildiz the hat trick! He celebrated like he thought he had it after what was technically his second goal. It should be his third. Let him enjoy it! ............ How hot was it in Philadelphia during Sunday’s game? Well, it took Yildiz less than a half to completely sweat through his jersey, with it almost looking see-through at the first-half cooling break. Also notable that Igor Tudor didn’t go with a suit for the second straight game in which very warm weather was present. Tudor instead went with his training kit fit — which, based on early returns, is a very nice look compared to some previous editions adidas has rolled out. ............ Juventus were also outshot by Wydad (15-9) and needed a couple of big Michele Di Gregorio saves to ensure that this wasn’t a 3-2 scoreline heading into the stretch run. This game also feature a combined 32 fouls. Not exactly one that had a good flow to it. ............ I think I feel safe in saying that Wydad are a better team than Al Ain, and not just because they actually scored a nice goal against Juventus. But it was definitely noticeable that the likes of Francisco Conceição, Alberto Costa and a few others weren’t as lively as they were a few days earlier. That being said, Khephren Thuram continues to be awesome and it sure is going to be fun watching him develop at Juventus. He just does so many things well and looks to be taking quite a liking to how Tudor wants him to play. The unfortunate thing about Yildiz’s first goal being called an own goal and that he doesn’t get to claim a hat trick is that we can’t say “Khephren Thuram, assist leader at the Club World Cup.” He’s now just one of a handful of players tied on two assists. ............ So now we get to see what Juventus can do against Man City with the top spot in Group G on the line on Thursday. That should be a pretty good measuring stick to see where both clubs are at right now. Hopefully it goes a little bit like the last time they played. I would totally be OK with something like that. Read more -> https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2025/6/22/24453670/juventus-wydad-casablanca-2025-fifa-club-world-cup-group-stage-final-score-result-initial-reaction

Grazie alla doppietta contro il Wydad, Kenan è diventato il secondo numero 10 a segnare una doppietta il 22 giugno in un Mondiale Fifa dopo Maradona che l'aveva realizzata nel 1986 contro l'Inghilterra.

Juventus player ratings v Wydad – One player stands out Michele di Gregorio – 7.0 He could do nothing about Wydad’s goal, but when called upon, he did well. Pierre Kalulu – 7.0 This was another mature and commanding performance from Kalulu, who made it difficult for Wydad to find the strikers. Nicolo Savona – 7.0 He is gradually becoming a key player for the club, and with performances like this, it is not difficult to see why. Lloyd Kelly – 7.5 This was another good performance from Kelly, who was smart on and off the ball as Juve dominated possession. Alberto Costa – 6.5 ............ Weston McKennie – 7.0 ............ Khephren Thuram – 7.5 He was Juventus’ best midfielder in the game. He picked the right passes and drove forward at the right time. Andrea Cambiaso – 7.0 Cambiaso had a good day at the office, even though he was not spectacular. Kenan Yildiz – 9.0 What a player he is. He scored twice and was the outstanding player on the pitch. He is growing in confidence and could well be among the players of the tournament. Randal Kolo Muani – 7.0 Although he did not score, it is easy to see why he starts matches instead of Vlahovic. Francisco Conceicao – 6.5 ............ Substitutes Teun Koopmeiners – 6.5 ............ Nicolas Gonzalez – 5.5 ............ Manuel Locatelli – 6.5 He came on and stabilised the midfield when some legs began to tire. Dusan Vlahovic – 7.0 He scored in the few minutes he played, albeit a penalty. Federico Gatti – N/A . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/juventus-player-ratings-v-wydad-one-player-stands-out/

Juventus Player Ratings vs Wydad: Yildiz Show in Philadelphia Kenan Yildiz threw a spectacle at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, inspiring Juventus to a 4-1 win over Wydad. Igor Tudor’s charges took a giant step toward reaching the quarter-finals in their maiden FIFA Club World Cup appearance. Juventus had a dream start as Abdelmounaim Boutouil scored an own goal in the 6th minute to break the deadlock. Only ten minutes later, Kenan Yildiz doubled Bianconeri’s lead with a stunning long-range strike after receiving a pass from Andrea Cambiaso. However, Wydad pulled one back midway through the first half. Nordin Amrabat teed up Thembinkosi Lorch with an excellent through ball after a lethal counter-attack. The South African forward calmly slotted the ball past the helpless Michele Di Gregorio to restore drama. ............ Though the possession scales balanced after the break, there was still a feeling that Juventus were in complete control. Yet, chances were at a premium for the Turin giants before Yildiz notched up a brace on the stroke of the 70-minute mark. Second-half substitute Dusan Vlahovic put the cherry on top deep inside stoppage time to seal another dominant victory for the Serie A powerhouse. With six points from the first two Group G rounds, Tudor’s men have all but secured knockout qualification with a game to spare. ............ Juventus (3-4-3) Michele Di Gregorio – 8/10 Called into action more often than expected, the ex-Monza goalkeeper stood tall under pressure, making several key stops while showcasing sharp reflexes and solid positioning. Lloyd Kelly – 5/10 Arguably Juve’s poorest-performing defender! He was nowhere near Lorch for the goal. ............ Nicolo Savona – 8/10 Deployed more central this time, the Italian youngster held his ground against Samuel Obeng, making Wydad’s center-forward largely ineffective. Pierre Kalulu – 6/10 ............ Andrea Cambiaso – 7/10 ............ Khephren Thuram – 7/10 The Frenchman was the beating heart of Tudor’s midfield, pulling all the strings with composure, vision, and physical dominance. His athleticism and technical quality stood out this afternoon. Weston McKennie – 4/10 Juventus’ utility man didn’t have a game to remember. On the contrary, he was among the weakest on the field. ............ Alberto Costa – 3/10 The most threat Wydad had managed in the first half came down his flank as the young Portuguese couldn’t cope with Lorch’s pace. On top of that, he was far from convincing in attack. Kenan Yildiz – 10/10 Whenever Juventus needed someone to thread the needle against Wydad’s low block, they could count on the Turkish starlet. In addition to an outrageous strike, he must feel bitterness for seeing his 6th-minute strike classified as an own goal. However, he added another one in the second half to put the final nail in Wydad’s coffin. Francisco Conceicao – 6/10 ............ Randal Kolo Muani – 7/10 Despite failing to get on the board, the Paris Saint-Germain loanee was omnipresent in the build-up, often dropping deep to take part in link-up play. He registered a second-half assist for his trouble. Substitutes Teun Koopmeiners – 6/10 Nicolas Gonzalez – 5/10 Manuel Locatelli – 6/10 Dusan Vlahovic – 7/10 Federico Gatti – N/A . Read more -> https://cultofcalcio.com/juventus-player-ratings-vs-wydad-yildiz-show-in-philadelphia/

Kenan Yildiz inspires Juventus to a Club World Cup win over Wydad Juventus continued their fine form at the Club World Cup with another commanding performance, securing a deserved 4-1 victory over Wydad in their second group match of the competition. The Bianconeri have made a habit of starting matches with intensity, and Wydad were the latest side to fall victim to their fast tempo. It took just six minutes for Juventus to open the scoring, with a dangerous move leading to an own goal by Abdelmounaim Boutouil. ............ Kenan Yildiz, who had impressed in the opening match, was involved again in the second goal. Though he had a hand in the opener, this time he left no doubt, finishing expertly to double Juve’s advantage after only 16 minutes. The attacking play from the Bianconeri was fluid, with passes zipped around the pitch confidently as they took full control of the contest. Despite Juve’s dominance, Wydad managed to pull a goal back just before the interval. Thembinkosi Lorch found the net against the run of play, surprising the Bianconeri and offering the Moroccan side a glimmer of hope. However, Juventus still held the lead going into the break and looked the more likely side to score again. ............ Juventus took longer to find the net after the restart, but they eventually added a third through Kenan Yildiz, whose performance once again highlighted his growing importance to the team. As Wydad struggled to cope with the pressure and possession play of their opponents, Juventus capped off the performance with a late goal from Dusan Vlahovic. The striker’s penalty wrapped up another dominant showing for the Bianconeri, who now look well placed to qualify for the knockout stages. Their next test will be against Manchester City, but with two convincing wins from two, Juventus are building momentum and showing real intent in the tournament. . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/kenan-yildiz-inspires-juventus-to-a-club-world-cup-win-over-wydad/

Ed é stato anche il mio onomastico. Auguri anche a te, amico mio.

Casa

Kenan entra in campo zoppicando

DUSAN 4-1

Gatti entra al posto di Yildiz

Da respingere

Ma l'allenatore dei marocchini é il fratello minore di Jimmy Fontana?

KENAN YILDIZ 3-1

Kelly meglio in attacco che in difesa

Se magnano il 2-2

I marocchini hanno imparato da Limone Inzaghi. Protestano in continuazione anche se hanno torto.

Fabbri marocchini. L'arbitro lascia fare.

Fallaccio su Kenan

Abbiamo cominciato il secondo tempo con il piglio giusto

Ci sono 36 gradi a Filadelfia!

Forse i marocchini sono come i napoletani. Stanno senza mangiare per pagarsi l'abbonamento allo stadio.

Juventus vs Wydad Casablanca: Preview and Prediction Juventus can secure early passage into the FIFA Club World Cup knockout rounds when they meet Moroccan champions Wydad Casablanca in Philadelphia on Sunday. After a resounding win in their opener, the Bianconeri are within touching distance of the Last 16, while their North African opponents are already staring at an early exit following a tough start. Making their long-awaited debut in the modern FIFA Club World Cup, Juventus announced themselves in style with a commanding 5-0 victory over Al-Ain in Washington DC. It was a performance that not only sent a message to Group G but also hinted at a rejuvenated identity under Igor Tudor, who was recently confirmed as full-time head coach following his interim stint. ............ Despite only qualifying for this expanded edition as UEFA’s eighth-ranked side over a four-year period, the Bianconeri looked anything but second-tier in their opener. With their next match against Manchester City set to be a far tougher test, Sunday’s fixture becomes a must-win to avoid pressure heading into the final group round. Tudor, himself a former Juventus defender, has embraced the challenge of restoring pride to a club that has endured several turbulent seasons without domestic silverware. That effort begins now on the global stage, where a place in the round of 16 is within immediate reach. ............ Team News & Tactics Juventus Juventus head into their second Group G fixture at the Club World Cup with most of their core squad available, but a few notable absentees remain. Arkadiusz Milik and Gleison Bremer, both recently back in training following extended spells on the sidelines, have not been registered for the tournament and will play no part in the United States. Backup goalkeeper Mattia Perin and defender Juan Cabal also remain out due to injury. There is, however, positive news for head coach Igor Tudor as Manuel Locatelli, who missed Italy duty earlier this month due to an ankle injury, is now nearing full fitness. The influential midfielder may be recalled straight into the starting eleven as the Bianconeri look to secure progression before facing Manchester City in their final group match. Tudor may also consider light rotation to manage workloads, with players like Dusan Vlahovic, Teun Koopmeiners, and Douglas Luiz pushing for minutes. Tudor is expected to stick with the 3-4-2-1 formation that served Juventus well in their emphatic win over Al-Ain. Michele Di Gregorio will continue in goal after keeping a clean sheet in the opener. In defence, Pierre Kalulu and Federico Gatti are expected to occupy the right and central roles respectively, with Lloyd Kelly on the left of the back three, providing balance and composure in distribution. The midfield four will likely include Andrea Cambiaso at left wing-back and Nicolas Gonzalez on the right. In central midfield, Khephren Thuram should retain his place following a strong showing in the opener, and if passed fit, Manuel Locatelli will partner him to offer control, tempo, and defensive cover. In the two advanced playmaker roles behind the striker, Francisco Conceicao and Kenan Yildiz will provide the creative spark, having both contributed with goals in the first match. Leading the line is expected to be Randal Kolo Muani, who scored twice against Al-Ain and offers dynamic movement and pressing from the front. However, Dusan Vlahovic remains a strong alternative if Tudor opts for rotation. Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Gatti, Kelly; Gonzalez, Thuram, Locatelli, Cambiaso; Conceicao, Yildiz; Kolo Muani Wydad Casablanca ............ Probable Lineup (5-4-1): Benabid; Moufi, Meijers, Boutouil, Ferreira, Moufid; Amrabat, Malsa, El Moubarik, Lorch; Rayhi Key Stats Juventus began their Club World Cup campaign with a 5-0 victory over Al-Ain, their biggest margin of victory in any international tournament since 2012. They scored four goals in the first half—a feat they hadn’t achieved since 2018. Wydad Casablanca have never won a match at the FIFA Club World Cup. Across four appearances, they’ve managed just one draw and suffered three defeats, scoring only two goals in the process. Wydad have conceded at least two goals in four of their last five matches across all competitions, including their 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the group opener. They’ve also failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their Club World Cup appearances. Despite missing key players like Bremer, Milik, and Perin, Juventus have used 16 different players in their starting lineups and substitutions already in this tournament. Player to Watch Randal Kolo Muani In a match where Juventus are expected to dominate possession and create chances, Randal Kolo Muani stands out as the player most likely to make the difference. His pace, intelligent movement, and finishing ability make him a nightmare for stretched defences, especially one like Wydad Casablanca’s, which has shown vulnerabilities under pressure. After scoring twice in Juventus’s opening win over Al-Ain, Kolo Muani comes into this fixture full of confidence and sharpness. His ability to time runs behind the backline and exploit space in transition will be crucial against a side that defends deep and looks to counter. Whether stretching the defence, linking up with creative midfielders, or finishing off attacking moves, Kolo Muani offers a complete forward presence. ............ Prediction Juventus 3-1 Wydad Casablanca On paper and form, Juventus hold a clear advantage. With momentum, tactical clarity, and a sharp frontline, they are expected to dictate the game from the outset. Wydad Casablanca have the potential to disrupt with energy and individual flair, but unless they drastically improve their execution in the final third, it is hard to see them containing the Italians for 90 minutes. . Read more -> https://thehardtackle.com/round-up/2025/06/21/juventus-vs-wydad-casablanca-preview-and-prediction/

Club World Cup Preview: Juventus vs Wydad AC – Team News, Line-ups & Prediction Potentially 90 minutes away from reaching the quarter-finals in their maiden FIFA Club World Cup appearance, Juventus take on Wydad AC in Philadelphia in their second Group G outing. Lincoln Financial Field sets the stage for the first-ever meeting between the two teams, and the stakes can hardly be any higher. After a sub-standard 2024/25 season, this could mark the beginning of a new winning cycle for the record-time Italian champions. Juventus couldn’t have hoped for a better way to kick things off in the United States as they humbled Al-Ain 5-0 in their opening group game. Francisco Conceicao and Randal Kolo Muani scored two goals apiece to inspire the Bianconeri to a statement victory in Washington. As a result, Juventus can seal progression into the knockout stages with a game to spare if they beat Wydad on Sunday late afternoon. ............ Match Preview Juventus Sheer firepower saw Juventus wipe the floor with Al-Ain on day one. It was the biggest-ever victory an Italian club had pulled off at the Club World Cup, perhaps setting the tone for a standout result in the newly formatted competition. Head coach Igor Tudor may have found a formula for success. Indeed, Juventus have finally strung together three consecutive wins, last achieving this feat in February. Furthermore, they’ve been restless in front of goal, netting at least two on each occasion at an average of 3.33 per game. Delivering action from the get-go, they put four unanswered first-half goals past Al-Ain in the curtain-raising fixture. Another noteworthy takeaway from that victory was a rare clean sheet for the Turin heavyweights. As such, they could win back-to-back matches without conceding for the first time since August last year. Considering a sizeable gulf in class between the two teams, it’s hard to discard the possibility of another shutout. However, it could lead to another low-scoring event, which has recently been a common theme in Juventus’ outings. Only three of their last ten have produced 3+ goals. Wydad AC ............ Team News Arkadiusz Milik, Gleison Bremer, and Juan Cabal are on the verge of full recovery. However, all three should stay on the sidelines. Meanwhile, this could be a chance for Dusan Vlahovic to rescue his Juventus career amid talks the Serie A giants are considering offloading him to Milan. ............ Juventus vs Wydad AC Potential Starting Line-ups Juventus (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Gatti, Kelly; Gonzalez, Thuram, Locatelli, Cambiaso; Conceicao, Yildiz; Kolo Muani. Wydad AC (5-4-1): Benabid; Moufi, Meijers, Boutouil, Ferreira, Moufid; Amrabat, Malsa, Mailula, Lorch; Rayhi. Juventus vs Wydad FC Prediction Wydad won’t go down without a fight, but Juventus should have more than enough quality and attacking potency to outgun the Egyptians. A 2-0 scoreline could be the order of the day unless Tudor’s defense gives away another cheap goal as they often had toward the end of the Serie A season. Prediction: Juventus to Win . Read more -> https://cultofcalcio.com/club-world-cup-preview-juventus-vs-wydad-ac-team-news-line-ups-prediction/