JUVENTUS SEASON 2024-2025

[Socrates 8957]

Juventus 2024-25 Season Ratings: The Midfielders

 

 

Given the constant injuries that put both Thiago Motta and Igor Tudor into major selection crises at several points during the 2024-25 season, the Juventus midfield was relatively stable in terms of the health.

 

In terms of quality of performance, the midfield was much more of a roller coaster.

 

The middle of the park saw two big-money acquisitions over the summer end up as first-season flops, while while a more modestly priced midfielder became one of the team’s most important players. Two players that were relatively unwanted by club and fans, respectively, likewise became indispensable as the season wore on. ............

 

No one failed to reach my minimum of five appearances for a mention, although in one case we saw so few of the player that giving a full grade simply isn’t fair. As always, I’ve listed the players in alphabetical order.

 

Vasilije Adzic — s/v

When Cristiano Giuntoli plucked Adzic out of Budućnost Podgorica in Montenegro, it felt like his next version of Khvicha Kvaratshkhelia — a cheap pickup from Eastern Europe who looked poised to explode in Serie A.

 

That expectation only grew as preseason training began. The initial intent with Adzic, who only turned 19 in May, was to start him at the Next Gen and integrate him into the first team as he improved. But his performances in preseason impressed Motta, who fast-tracked him to the first team. ............

 

Adzic was lost in the maelstrom that was the season, but he’s got a lot of talent and won’t be 20 years old for another 11 months. There’s lots of time to grow into his potential, and hopefully he will do so, but for now he’s very much an “incomplete” in the grade book.

Nicolo Fagioli — 5.5

I haz the sad.

 

The way Fagioli was handled this year was abominable. After a fantastic performance in Juve’s come-from-behind win at RB Leipzig — one that might’ve been the best game of his career — he somehow ended up in Motta’s doghouse and his playing time dried up. ............

 

When his fractured relationship with the manager finally forced him out of his boyhood club entirely, heading to Fiorentina on a loan with an option to buy that became an obligation when Fiorentina improbably stole their way into the European places on the last day of the season. ............

Teun Koopmeiners — 5

The first of the two high-priced acquisitions in last summer’s mercato, Koopmeiners was by far the most anticipated, having antagonized Juve for years while Atalanta morphed into one of Juve’s bogey teams. It turned into a bit of a saga as Atalanta held their ground for as much money as possible while Koopmeiners held out of preseason training in an effort to force a deal through.

 

He didn’t arrive in Turin until two games had already been played. ............

 

He never seemed to click as the sole CAM in Motta’s 4-2-3-1, and wasn’t helped by the constant injury churn up front that robbed him of the chance to develop chemistry. Motta tried other ways to incorporate him, like dropping him into the double pivot or even other places along the front line, but the former disrupted the rest of the midfield and the latter was continually trying to put a square peg into a round hole. ............

 

When Tudor replaced Motta and brought along his usual 3-4-2-1 — the same formation he’d thrived in under Gian Piero Gasperini — there was hope he might take an upward turn, but a muscle injury in training ended his season in early April.

 

Koopmeiners obviously didn’t just forget how to play football this season. His awful year was likely a combination of the late transfer and the chaos behind the scenes. Time will tell whether he can find himself again, or whether he will go down as one of the big transfer busts of recent times. ............

Manuel Locatelli — 7.5

Locatelli’s season began with the fans at the Allianz Stadium booing him off the field in the annual preseason match with the Next Gen. By the end of the year, those fans were singing a very different tune.

 

This season, Locatelli proved himself worthy of the captain’s armband, which he wore for most of the year and took over for good when Danilo was pushed out of the team in January. He missed only two games in Serie A this year and played nearly 3,000 minutes. ............

 

When Tudor took over, he was even better, often setting teammates off running downfield in Tudor’s more vertical tactics.

 

But if there was ever a moment that solidified his place as captain, it was in the dying stages of the season’s final match against Venezia.

 

Tied at 2-2 and needing three points to play in the Champions League next year, Locatelli took the responsibility onto himself when Juve earned a penalty with 15 minutes left. He hadn’t taken a spot-kick in Serie A since he was on Sassuolo, but he confidently dispatched it high to his right, proiding Juve their final 3-2 margin and keeping them at Europe’s big table. ............

Douglas Luiz — 3

The biggest flop of the transfer window for sure, Douglas Luiz is the worst performer of the year by a relatively large margin.

 

Brought in for €50 million from Aston Villa, Luiz never adapted to Italian football. Even Motta, who had championed his signing over the summer, couldn’t justify letting him off the bench. ............

 

After scoring nine times for Villa a year ago, he had a grand total of zero goal contributions in his first season with Juventus. ............

Khephren Thuram — 7.5

Thuram had a lot to live up to as he moved from Nice to Serie A. His father, Lillian, was of course the legendary center-back that manned the back line for five years, and his older brother had just helped Inter to a scudetto (barf) pairing up with Lautaro Martinez up front. ............

 

Thuram was the kind of midfielder Juventus haven’t had since Sami Khedira’s body started to betray him. He started off moves with bombing runs through the middle, finished them off when he was fed into the box, and hounded ball carriers on the press. ............

 

The fact that he and Locatelli were the best midfield pairing on the team despite the presence of higher-profile, bigger-money signings is a testament to his ability. It also provoked one of the early questions about Motta, when he benched Thuram for much of the month of January despite his partnership with Locatelli clearly proving to be the better one. ............

Weston McKennie — 7

Another season where it looked like he was unwanted, and another season where he soon proved how dumb that sentiment is.

 

McKennie was the team’s true Swiss Army knife this season. If a position needed filling, the American filled it. He played pretty much every position other than center-back and goalkeeper this season, and did all of them at a level that was at least competent.

 

He scored five goals in all competitions and registered four assists, including two in October’s crazy comeback against Inter in October. ............

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Read more -> https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2025/6/2/24440981/juventus-2024-25-season-ratings-the-midfielders-manuel-locatelli-khephren-thuram-teun-koopmeiners

[Socrates 8957]

Juventus 2024-25 Season Ratings: The Forwards

 

 

The 2024-25 season promised a lot to the Juventus faithful.

 

One of the largest promises was supposed to be more of an attacking focus under new manager Thiago Motta, contrary to the “corto muso” ways of Max Allegri from the previous three seasons. ............

 

Muscular issues precluded Nico Gonzalez from proving his worth for over two months during the first half of the Serie A and Champions League campaigns, Francisco Conceicao was the victim of a few muscle issues that kept him off the pitch for important matches against AC Milan, Napoli, and Atalanta, and even Dusan Vlahovic’s muscle injuries benched him from roughly 15% of Juventus’ Serie A matches. Not to mention Arkaduiz Milik, who at this point should be on milk bottles in Turin and his home city of Tychy in Poland. ............

Samuel Mbangula — 5

Appearances: 32; Minutes Played: 1,078; Goals: 4; Assists: 5; Yellow Cards: 1; Red Cards: 0

The young Belgian exploded onto the scene in the season opener, registering his first goal and first assist at the senior level in Juve’s opener against Como. He then went on to register another two assists only a week later in the aforementioned victory over Hellas Verona. ............

 

Since Mbangula plays predominantly on the left wing, and the experimentation of Kenan Yildiz playing behind Vlahovic in Motta’s 4-2-3-1 only lasted for the first three domestic matches, it’s not crazy to say that Mbangula was a victim of preference. He spent a good deal of time as a late substitute during the first half of the season, when he was actually playing, as he remained on the bench for six of the first 16 matches. ............

Nico Gonzalez — 5

Appearances: 35; Minutes Played: 2,237; Goals: 5; Assists: 4; Yellow Cards: 3; Red Cards: 0

Before even having the ability to truly prove himself, the Fiorentina loanee was hit with an injury that kept him out of nine Serie A matches and another four in the Champions League between October and December. ............

 

You can give him the benefit of the doubt since players oftentimes don’t come back at full strength after a long-term injury, but Gonzalez was simply not a high-level performer during his first season in black and white. He is very quick, a powerful dribbler, and is very skilled in cutting from the wing, but that did not show well over the course of the season. ............

 

Late into the season, and under the direction of Igor Tudor, Gonzalez did have a few solid performances in the push for Champions League qualification, netting two goals in crucial home matches against Monza and then Udinese. ............

Dusan Vlahovic — 5.5

Appearances: 41; Minutes Played: 2,569; Goals: 15; Assists: 5; Yellow Cards: 4; Red Cards: 0

Analyzing Vlahovic is not an easy feat, as stat lines do give him some level of positive light, but Juventus supporters who suffer through match after match don’t necessarily see it that way. ............

 

Now, after all of that, Vlahovic does still seem like an alright, if not mildly impressive player with 15 goals across all competitions. Admittedly, he’s had his moments. But this season was really the first to prove that maybe the Serbian can’t play among the big boys of the top leagues. ............

 

As he seems to be leaving Juventus soon, there are still lingering questions about the Serbian that simply will never be answered. But it can be put this way, the second half of the 2021-22 season for Vlahovic was not the end-all, be-all decider of his skill, but he did net nine goals in 21 matches. As his time with Max Allegri progressed, Vlahovic did get better, although his on-field tantrums and slamming his fists into the grass were a difficult watch. With Motta, there was early success followed by droughts and then the eventual arrival of Randal Kolo-Muani.

 

If Vlahovic will be remembered for anything during his time in Turin, it’s the consistency of his inconsistency.

Timothy Weah — 6

Appearances: 42; Minutes Played: 2,296; Goals: 6; Assists: 5; Yellow Cards: 5; Red Cards: 0

Weah’s early days at the club put him in much more of a defensive role, so it was good to see Motta give him more of a chance to play in a natural attacking position during the 2024-25 season. ............

Francisco Conceicao — 6

Appearances: 37; Minutes Played: 2,054; Goals: 5; Assists: 6; Yellow Cards: 5; Red Cards: 1

Early on, “Chico” was all the rage for the new Juventus.

 

The way he glided up the wing, maneuvered past defenders, and found his way into the box was incredible. Especially with his short stature as he faced against hulking defenders. His performance against RB Leipzig gained him widespread favor in the squad, and his assist in the 4-4 draw against Inter also earned him some season rating points. ............

 

It’s looking more and more like Chico will not stay with Juventus past the Club World Cup, but he’ll always be able to cherish sending Inter packing at home.

Randal Kolo Muani — 7.5

Appearances: 23; Minutes Played: 1,524; Goals: 8; Assists: 2; Yellow Cards: 0; Red Cards: 0

It must be a sad thing to see your club win the treble while you’re on loan to one of the worst Juventus teams in recent memory. But what RKM can take solace in knowing is that he was exactly what the team needed. The loanee came to Juventus at a time of turmoil, where Vlahovic was the only striker, goals were drying up, and the draws had become too many to count on two hands.

 

Enter the Frenchman, who netted five goals in his first three matches and was credited with the assist in Conceicao’s goal against Inter. Now, was Kolo-Muani going to go on a prolific, Real Madrid-style scoring run? Absolutely not, but he shined a light on exactly what Vlahovic was doing wrong.............

Kenan Yildiz — 8

Appearances: 48; Minutes Played: 3270; Goals: 9; Assists: 7; Yellow Cards: 3; Red Cards: 1

Statistics aside, Yildiz gave Juventus something intangible this season: hope.

 

No matter the odds, no matter how poor performances of his teammates were, the Starboy gave everything he had. In fact, there is not much bad that can be said about the Turkish winger, as he excels in dribbling, passing, shooting, and possession. ............

 

Yes, Yildiz was the best forward of the season, but the Inter draw spoke leaps and bounds about where this young man’s career may be going, and as a hint, it’s going far. In an era of insane transfer sums, trophy-chasing, and favoring individual legacy over club legacy, Yildiz has set himself apart both by his love of Juventus as a club and by his ability on the pitch — so much so that he dedicated a goal to Alessandro Del Piero, the player in Juventus history that has arguably the most love ever for the club, on his 50th birthday. All while wearing his number, too. ............

 

Arkadiuz Milik — s/v

Appearances: 0; Minutes Played: 0; Goals: 0; Assists: 0; Yellow Cards: 0; Red Cards: 0 ............

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Read more -> https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2025/6/4/24441305/juventus-2024-25-season-ratings-forwards-dusan-vlahovic-kenan-yildiz-nico-gonzalez-randal-kolo-muani

[Socrates 8957]

Juventus 2024-25 Season Ratings: The Manager(s)

 

 

As we wrap up our season in review articles, it is my (dubious) honor to finish things off by talking about the men that were entrusted to lead this team in the 2024-25 season. And for the first time since I started writing for this website, we will hand out grades for two managers, Thiago Motta and Igor Tudor. ............

Thiago Motta — 4

Thiago Motta was a bad coach this season.

 

We can talk about the many things that did not go his way during his 10-month stint at Juventus. Losing Gleison Bremer to injury early in the season would be a tough hurdle for any team. Trying to adapt so many new incoming players while managing in three competitions with a number of injuries cost him time and opportunities to imprint his system in the squad. ............

 

Then again, there were a lot of things that went wrong this season that were very much on Motta, and ultimately those were the ones that ended up cutting his stint short.

 

First and foremost, he never really managed to get the team to play the style he preferred. He was stubborn to a fault by trying to make his system stick, never deviating from his 4-2-3-1 setup even when injuries or performance signaled a necessity to change his formation.

 

This inflexibility and what essentially was a lack of a Plan B led to having no continuity in lineup choices. Even if injuries played some part of it, Motta needlessly tinkered with his starting lineups all season long. ............

 

The baffling choice of not sticking with Khephren Thuram and Manuel Locatelli as the starting double pivot when they had been leaps and bounds the best pairing for that setup was the decision that attracted the most attention. But there were plenty other examples to choose for this issue, too: Kenan Yildiz becoming significantly less effective on the wing, Teun Koopmeiners being consistently played out of position, the unpredictability of substitution patterns. They were all problems that Motta never managed to crack.

 

Part of those problems was the complete inability to hold leads late in games, which led to Juventus leading the league in dropped points from winning positions and a ridiculous 16 draws in Serie A play, more than any other team in Italy’s top flight. ............

 

Danilo had been the captain of this team and one of the few remaining leaders of championship-winning teams. Despite losing a step, he was still a decent depth piece to have if only for locker room purposes in a team that was going through a high level of turnover. He was frozen out of the team due to issues with Motta and exited the club on bad terms in deals that killed his value. ............

 

But those were not the only problems for Motta in terms of managing the locker room.

 

Throughout the year — and as the season turned worse and worse — rumors consistently swirled regarding unhappiness in the locker room. It’s always tough to really discern what is true from what is just newspaper fodder, and Juventus playing badly will always be easy bait to get some “locker room” unrest stories out there. ............

 

In the end, actions spoke louder than words. When Motta was truly coaching for his job, the team put forth their worst stretch of the season, blowing a lead in the Champions League to get bounced as they tried to qualify for the round of 16, losing against Empoli’s B team in the Coppa Italia quarterfinals and getting annihilated by Atalanta and Fiorentina in back-to-back weeks before the last International break of the season in March. A string of results that poor was enough for the Juventus board to take action and fire their dream signing less than a year after hiring him. ............

Igor Tudor — 6

With no trophies left to realistically play for and their status in the top four dangerously close to being gone, the Juventus board turned to Tudor — a former player and assistant coach at the club — to salvage their European future.

 

Considering the state of the club when he took over and the limited amount of time he had to turn the ship around, it shouldn’t be surprising that a lot of the things that ailed the club continued on under Tudor.

 

A maddening inability to hold leads or to consistently produce offensive chances remained issues under the Croatian coach. ............

 

His different approach in formation and style led to slightly better performances from the squad and a more solid defense, as they only allowed more than one goal once during his nine-game tenure to close the season. Then again, it wasn’t like Juventus wasn’t still drawing games they should have won or losing against inferior opposition either. Their defeat against Parma and draws from winning positions against AS Roma, Lazio and Bologna are all examples of these issues remaining.

In the end, Tudor did the job he was brought in to do — avoid a catastrophe and bring back calmness in a season that was spiraling fast. That’s why I’m giving him a passing grade. ............

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Read more -> https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2025/6/5/24441977/juventus-2024-25-ratings-the-manager-thiago-motta-igor-tudor-2025-serie-a-team-management-analysis

[Socrates 8957]

Boost for Juventus as one key player returns to team training

 

 

Juventus have received a significant boost ahead of the Club World Cup, which is set to begin in just a few days. Following a domestic season plagued by fitness issues, the return of one of their key players to full training will be a welcome development for the Bianconeri. ............

 

Teun Koopmeiners took part in full group training today, marking his first session in a considerable period. The Dutch midfielder has been dealing with multiple injury concerns that have kept him out of action since shortly after Igor Tudor assumed managerial responsibilities.

 

Koopmeiners has yet to enjoy a consistent run of matches under the Croatian coach and will be eager to make up for lost time. ............

 

Although Koopmeiners has not yet delivered his peak performance in a Juventus shirt, his quality and experience are not in doubt. The coaching staff and supporters alike will be hoping that his return leads to a more stable midfield, something the team have lacked during key parts of the season.

 

Juventus have ambitions of competing strongly in the Club World Cup, and the timing of Koopmeiners’ return could not be more favourable. ............

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/boost-for-juventus-as-one-key-player-returns-to-team-training/

[Socrates 8957]

Juventus announce squad for Club World Cup

 

 

Juventus have published their squad list for the upcoming Club World Cup in the United States, as Igor Tudor welcomes back a couple of long-term injury absences and plenty of youngsters to the regular group of players who current call Turin home.

 

Juve will head to the U.S. with a squad of 35 players, which includes the return of Gleison Bremer and Arek Milik after both players dealt with injuries for much, if not all, of the 2024-25 Serie A season. ............

 

Three Juventus players are out due to injury: Juan Cabal, Mattia Perin and Fabio Miretti.

 

Here is Juventus’ full squad list in full for the Club World Cup:

 

Goalkeepers: Michele Di Gregorio, Carlo Pinsoglio, Giovanni Daffara, Giovanni Garofani.

 

Defenders: Alberto Costa, Gleison Bremer, Federico Gatti, Lloyd Kelly, Pierre Kalulu, Daniele Rugani, Andrea Cambiaso, Nicolo Savona, Jonas Rouhi, Javier Gil Puche.

 

Midfielders: Manuel Locatelli, Teun Koopmeiners, Weston McKennie, Filip Kostic, Khephren Thuram, Douglas Luiz, Stefano Turco, Augusto Owusu.

 

Forwards: Francisco Conceição, Dusan Vlahovic, Kenan Yildiz, Nico Gonzalez, Arek Milik, Vasilije Adžić, Randal Kolo Muani, Timothy Weah, Lorenzo Anghelè, Alessandro Pietrelli, Samuel Mbangula, Nicolò Cudrig, Tommaso Mancini.

 

Juventus begin group play on Wednesday, June 18, against UAE side Al Ain at Audi Field in Washington D.C. at 9 p.m. local time (3:00 CEST.). Juve will then face Wydad AC and Manchester City on June 22 and June 26, respectively.

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Read more -> https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2025/6/11/24447652/juventus-fifa-club-world-cup-2025-squad-list-team-news

[Socrates 8957]

FIFA Club World Cup Group G Preview & Predictions: Meet Juventus Rivals

 

 

It was supposed to be a season of resurgence for Juventus after substantial squad investments last summer and Thiago Motta’s appointment. However, the record-time Italian champions had to settle for another mediocre campaign. Motta didn’t even last long enough to take credit for another top-four finish in Serie A.

 

Igor Tudor took his place in the dugout in late March and finished what he started, helping Juventus secure Champions League qualification. ............

 

Progression from a competitive-looking Group G is anything but a foregone conclusion for Juventus. Indeed, they share the stage with Manchester City, Al-Ain, and Wydad and will kick things off on June 19 against the AFC powerhouse. ............

Juventus

League: Serie A
Head coach: Igor Tudor

 

Like Group E favorites and arch-rivals Inter, Juventus have a point to prove in the United States. After all, this is the only international title they have never won. But there’s more than just prestige and another piece of silverware. Indeed, this could be a chance for the Turin giants to embark on a new winning cycle after years of suffering. ............

 

Several players within the squad are also facing a make-or-break moment, including exit-linked Dusan Vlahovic. The same goes for Randal Kolo Muani and Francisco Conceicao, as they both aim to earn permanent contracts at the Allianz Stadium.

 

 

Star Player: Kenan Yildiz

 

Though Vlahovic was Juventus’ best goalscorer in the season just gone, Kenan Yildiz was often the team’s driving force in attack. Unfortunately, the numbers weren’t there. The 20-year-old racked up just nine goals in 48 appearances. Therefore, this could be his time to shine.

 

Potential starting line-up (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Bremer, Kalulu, Savona; Cambiaso, Thuram, Locatelli, Nico Gonzalez; Conceicao, Yildiz; Kolo Muani.

Manchester City

League: Premier League
Head coach: Pep Guardiola

 

While trophyless seasons have become Juventus’ harsh reality in recent years, Manchester City experienced a rare taste of the same last term. After four consecutive Premier League triumphs, they failed to lift silverware for the first time since Pep Guardiola’s debut campaign at the Etihad Stadium.

 

An underwhelming league campaign, a premature Champions League elimination, and an FA Cup heartbreak prompted the club’s decisive reaction in the transfer market. Indeed, the Citizens have splashed out €137 million on summer reinforcements. Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, and Tijjani Reijnders have signed for the former English champions. ............

 

Star player: Erling Haaland

 

Despite all incoming deals in the past six months, Erling Haaland remains the most significant component in Guardiola’s jigsaw. The Norwegian goal machine had a quiet season by his high standards, finishing behind Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak in the Premier League scoring charts. That could only serve as an added motive for him to explode in the US.

 

Potential starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Ait-Nouri, Gvardiol, Dias, Akanji; Kovacic, Reijnders; Cherki, Marmoush, Doku; Haaland.

Al-Ain

League: UAE Pro League (United Arab Emirates)
Head Coach: Vladimir Ivic

 

With 14 top-flight titles and 38 trophies overall, Al-Ain are the most successful club in the United Arab Emirates. However, their domination stretches beyond the UAE borders. Vladimir Ivic’s men defied the emergence of wealthy Saudi Pro League clubs to lift the AFC Champions League title in 2024.

 

Star player: Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba

 

Long-serving Al-Ain stalwart Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba may be unknown to wider international audiences, but his impact in Asian football is undeniable. The Togolese striker has been a nightmare for opposition defenses since joining the club in 2019 and even finished last season as the Pro League top scorer.

 

Potential starting line-up (4-3-3): Eisa; Erik, Kouadio, Cardoso, Traore; Nader, Park, Palacios; Kaku, Rahimi, Laba.

Wydad AC

League: Botola
Head coach: Mohamed Amine Benhachem

 

One of Africa’s most decorated clubs, Wydad AC earned their spot at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup as Morocco’s representative, thanks to the 2022 CAF Champions League triumph. With three CAF Champions League titles and over 20 domestic trophies, the Casablanca-based giants are no strangers to elite competition. ............

 

Star player: Samuel Obeng

 

Samuel Obeng will make his Wydad debut at this tournament after swapping Casa Pia for Stade Mohamed V this summer. As a rare foreigner in the squad, expectations will be high for the 28-year-old, who spent his entire career in the Iberian Peninsula before crossing the Mediterranean.

 

Potential starting line-up (4-4-2): El Motie; Moufid, Marmouk, Nassik, Harkass; Malsa, Sakhi, Zemraoui, Arthur; Rayhi, Obeng.

Prediction

Group winner: Manchester City
Second-place finisher: Juventus ............

Meanwhile, Juventus may not be their best version, but their quality and experience still make them strong contenders for the knockout stage. Regardless of their recent struggles, the Bianconeri should have just enough to outpace Al-Ain and Wydad in the race for second place.

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Read more -> https://cultofcalcio.com/fifa-club-world-cup-group-g-preview-predictions-meet-juventus-rivals/

[Socrates 8957]

How much will Juventus earn from competing at the Club World Cup

 

 

Juventus are among the European clubs currently taking part in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, which officially got underway today in the United States. The Bianconeri join Inter Milan as the two Italian representatives, and both clubs will be looking to leave a strong impression on and off the pitch during their stay in North America. ............

 

Although there is great value in the global exposure the event offers, particularly in a key commercial market like the United States, Juventus are likely to be even more focused on the financial potential the competition represents. ............

 

Juventus have already earned around 20 million euros by simply qualifying for the competition. From there, the financial rewards continue to increase. Each group stage victory will bring in 1.9 million euros, with 900 thousand euros awarded for a draw. Progressing through each knockout round comes with significant financial incentives, with 7 million euros awarded for reaching the round of sixteen and an additional 12.2 million euros guaranteed for a place in the quarterfinals. ............

 

If Juventus advance to the semifinal, they will receive 19.5 million euros, with 27.9 million euros set aside for the finalists. The eventual champions are set to collect a further 37.2 million euros, underlining the substantial sums on offer at this tournament.

 

With those figures in mind, Juventus will approach this competition with a clear understanding of the financial stakes involved. ............

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/how-much-will-juventus-earn-from-competing-at-the-club-world-cup/

[Socrates 8957]

Juventus first Club world cup training session in the USA cancelled

 

 

Juventus’ preparations for the FIFA Club World Cup have encountered a minor disruption, as their first scheduled training session in the United States was cancelled due to a delay following their arrival. The Italian giants, who are one of two clubs representing Serie A in the expanded competition, are currently based in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

 

Having made a stop in Washington before reaching their training base, the Bianconeri were set to hold a light session designed to help players stretch and recover from the long journey. ............

 

The scheduled training session was cancelled upon arrival, with the team instead set to begin full preparations this morning local time, which corresponds to the afternoon in Italy. The session was expected to be light in nature, focusing on loosening up muscles after the lengthy flight rather than any intensive tactical work. ............

 

Juventus’ first match in the tournament will see them face Al Ain in the early hours of 19 June. The UAE-based side will be eager to test themselves against top European opposition, and the fixture represents a meaningful opportunity for both clubs.

 

While Al Ain are expected to put up a competitive fight, Juventus will approach the game as favourites and are confident of securing a positive result. ............

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The cancellation of the first session is unlikely to impact the squad’s overall readiness, and with several days remaining before their opening fixture, there is ample time to make the necessary adjustments and settle into full tournament mode.

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/juventus-first-club-world-cup-training-session-in-the-usa-cancelled/

 

Modificato June 15 da Socrates

[Socrates 8957]

Preview: Al-Ain vs Juventus - prediction, team news, lineups

 

 

Fallen giants Juventus aim to regain past glories at this summer's Club World Cup, and they kick off their Group G campaign by meeting Al-Ain on Wednesday.

 

Both sides will battle it out with Wydad AC and reigning champions Manchester City for a place in the knockout phase, starting with a midweek clash in Washington DC. 

Match preview

Though they participated three times in the old Intercontinental Cup - winning the 1985 and 1996 editions against Argentinian opposition - Juventus are now making their inaugural appearance at FIFA's Club World Cup.

 

The Italian giants qualified for the newly expanded competition as the eighth-best eligible team in UEFA's four-year rankings, joining compatriots and old foes Inter Milan in this summer's tournament.

 

Previously Serie A champions for nine straight years, Juve have failed to claim top spot in Serie A since 2020, only scraping into fourth place last term following yet another season of turmoil.

 

Two-time European champions, the Turin club also made an early exit from the Champions League, as a repeated failure to convert draws into wins continually cost them.

 

Equalling a club record, Juventus drew 20 games across all competitions in the 2024-25 campaign, which initially promised so much under Thiago Motta, who was ultimately sacked before completing his first season.

 

Having been hired to replace Motta in March, interim manager Igor Tudor - a former Juve defender and assistant coach - has since extended his contract, after a crisis-hit club board failed to secure the signature of either Antonio Conte or Gian Piero Gasperini.

 

Tudor therefore leads the Bianconeri into this new-look Club World Cup, with Wednesday's opener taking place in the American capital. They then face Wydad in Philadelphia, before facing down group favourites Man City, so taking at least four points from their first two games is a must. ............

Team News

Neither are yet fit enough for selection, but Juventus have been able to include two long-term absentees in their squad, as defensive rock Bremer and Polish striker Arkadiusz Milik have both partially trained with their teammates.

 

Furthermore, captain and midfield fulcrum Manuel Locatelli - who scored the penalty that secured Juve's Champions League qualification last month - should recover from an ankle injury that caused his withdrawal from Italy duty; Daniele Rugani and Filip Kostic have both returned from season-long loans.

 

While several places are up for grabs, Kenan Yildiz is set to feature prominently in Igor Tudor's preferred 3-4-2-1 formation. The Bianconeri averaged an extra point per game when Yildiz was in their starting lineup last term.

 

The Turkish star's 15 goal involvements also made him the third-youngest player to hit that mark across Europe's top five leagues - only Lamine Yamal and Desire Doue managed more.

 

Set to vie with Randal Kolo Muani for one place up front, Juve's top Serie A scorer was Dusan Vlahovic with a modest 10 goals, while Al-Ain's Togo striker Kodjo Laba netted 20 in the UAE Pro League, including eight headers. ............

 

Al-Ain possible starting lineup: Patricio; Autonne, Park, Cardoso; Traore, Nader, Palacios, Erik; Kaku; Laba, Rahimi

 

Juventus possible starting lineup: Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Gatti, Kelly; Gonzalez, Thuram, Locatelli, Cambiaso; Conceicao, Yildiz; Kolo Muani

 

We say: Al-Ain 0-1 Juventus

 

For all their flaws, a Juventus side that kept 17 clean sheets last season should be able to keep Al-Ain's lively attack at arm's length and score at least once.

 

It may not be pretty, but Juve can grind out an opening-round win that puts them on track for a top-two finish.

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Read more -> https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/al-ain/club-world-cup/preview/al-ain-vs-juventus-prediction-team-news-lineups_575635.html

[Socrates 8957]

Kalulu insists Juventus will respect all Club World Cup opponents

 

 

Juventus will begin their Club World Cup campaign with a group stage match against Al Ain, and the Bianconeri enter the tie as clear favourites. ............

 

The Club World Cup brings together top sides from across the continents, and while Juventus will back themselves to go deep into the tournament, they are wary of the risks of underestimating lesser-known opponents.

 

Al Ain may lack the pedigree of Europe’s elite clubs, but their qualification for the tournament proves they are not to be dismissed lightly. ............

 

Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu has urged his teammates to show respect to every team they face. He made it clear that the Bianconeri are fully focused on the task ahead:

 

“It’s very important for us and we’re proud to be there. It’s for clubs, but it’s still a World Cup. We see it as a continuation of the previous season. We have a clear idea of how we want to play, there’s great enthusiasm in the group, we’re physically well and we’re here to win as many games as possible. We’re watching the other games and we’ll have to respect all our opponents, starting with Al Ain.” ............

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/kalulu-insists-juventus-will-respect-all-club-world-cup-opponents/

Modificato June 17 da Socrates

[Socrates 8957]

Boost for Igor Tudor as one key man returns from injury

 

 

Juventus have been handed a timely boost ahead of their Club World Cup opener as Manuel Locatelli has returned to full team training. The midfielder, who has been one of the most consistent performers for the Bianconeri in recent seasons, looks set to play a key role in their campaign in the United States.

 

Locatelli had suffered an injury during Juventus’ final Serie A game of the season, which forced him to miss out on Italy’s international fixtures at the start of June. ............

 

Locatelli has now fully recovered and took part in the team’s most recent full training session. This is a strong indication that he is available for selection in the upcoming clash with Al Ain. His return will be welcomed by Igor Tudor, who sees the midfielder as a core part of his plans for the tournament. ............

 

Juventus are aiming to make a statement in their first Club World Cup appearance, and they will be favourites against Al Ain. While the UAE side should not be underestimated, the return of key players like Locatelli significantly strengthens the Bianconeri’s chances of progressing from the group stage. ............

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/boost-for-igor-tudor-as-one-key-man-returns-from-injury/

[Socrates 8957]

Al-Ain vs Juventus: Preview and Prediction

 

 

 

Al-Ain fans will remember the club’s great run to the Final in the 2018 edition of the club World Cup as they prepare for the game against Juventus this week. ............

 

It will take massive efforts from the UAE side to repeat that feat even to make it to the knockout rounds, as the final group fixture against Wydad Casablanca is seen as the only possible game where they could earn some points. The other teams in this group comprise Juventus and Manchester City, who will be difficult to beat for the likes of the Abu Dhabi-based club.

 

Meanwhile, Juventus will take on Al-Ain in their first game of the CWC this term, and this is their first-ever appearance in this competition. The Bianconeri have featured in the former Intercontinental Cup three times in their history, winning the 1985 and 1996 editions, but the CWC participation is a first for the Italian giants. ............

Team News & Tactics

Al-Ain

 ............

 

 

Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Patricio; Autonne, Park, Cardoso; Traore, Nader, Palacios, Erik; Kaku; Rahimi, Laba

 

Juventus

Over at Juventus, there are some positive news regarding returning players as long-term absentees Gleison Bremer and Arkadiusz Milik have trained partially with the team. The duo are unlikely to come back fit to start this clash, although there’s plenty of optimism they will play a small part in this tournament especially if the Bianconeri go deep into the competition.

 

Juan Cabal is the only confirmed absentee with injury, while there are doubts about Manuel Locatelli following an ankle problem during the recent round of international fixtures.

 

However, the midfield fulcrum is expected to start for Juentus againt Al-Ain alingside regular partner Khephren Thuram in the middle of the park. Pierre Kalulu, Federico Gatti, and Lloyd Kelly are the ones in the back three for Juventus. Unfortunately for them, on-loan defender Renato Veiga will not be involved as he has left the club after his contract expired at the end of May.

 

In the attacking third, Kenan Yildiz is expected to play a key role for Juventus in this tournament, while Francisco Conceicao will be preferred for this one in the role behind the striker. Tudor will likely push to select Randal Kolo Muani over Dusan Vlahovic, with the latter expected to depart in the summer, but will be made available to play cameo roles for Juventus in the CWC.

 

Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Gatti, Kelly; Gonzalez, Thuram, Locatelli, Cambiaso; Yildiz, Conceicao; Kolo Muani

Key Stats

• Al-Ain are unbeaten in their last 6 games across all competitions.
• Al-Ain reached the final of the 2018 CWC.
• Juventus are unbeaten in their last 5 games.
• Juventus drew a record number of games with 20 across all competitions.

Player to Watch

Randal Kolo Muani

There’s an air of change at Juventus about the centre-forward role, as the club are ready to move on from Dusan Vlahovic, but may be still undecided over Kolo Muani. With the likelihood of Tudor starting the Frenchman over the Serb seems to be high, it’s a chance for the on-loan attacker to make a mark on the club chiefs. ............

 

Prediction

Al-Ain 0-2 Juventus

There is one obvious winner in this clash, although Al-Ain have a glorious history of causing upset. While they have a good quality of players who have competed at the continental level in Asia, they might not be a match for their European counterparts.

 

Juventus are eager to make a prominent mark on proceedings in the CWC, and they will want to collect as many wins as possible, given they will also face Manchester City later. Hence, Igor Tudor’s men will look to get a win in their bag to kickstart the tournament, while they are expected to keep a clean sheet in their opening game.

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Read more -> https://thehardtackle.com/round-up/2025/06/18/al-ain-vs-juventus-preview-and-prediction/

[Socrates 8957]

Club World Cup Preview: Al-Ain vs Juventus – Team News, Line-ups & Prediction

 

 

 

Juventus qualified for the UEFA Champions League via another top-four finish in Serie A. However, the 2024/25 season didn’t go as expected. Despite massive squad investments, the Bianconeri never questioned Napoli’s Scudetto credentials.

 

On the contrary, they had to fear for their top-four status until the final weekend. Former manager Thiago Motta failed to meet expectations, and Igor Tudor will aim to avoid the same fate after steering the club back to Europe’s elite competition. ............

 

Unlike their rivals, Al-Ain triumphed in the AFC Champions League as recently as 2023. As such, they’ll return to the Club World Cup for the first time since 2018, when they had to settle for a runner-up finish after a 4-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the showpiece event. ............

Match Preview

Al-Ain

 ............

 

Juventus

After years of decline, few know what to expect from Juventus on the global stage. Indeed, the record-time Italian champions suffered an early UEFA Champions League exit in 2024/25 and were slow to recover ever after.

 

Juventus’ middling return of seven wins from 14 domestic games after the continental heartbreak doesn’t make for good reading (D3, L4). If it’s any consolation, they had finished the last Serie A season on a five-game unbeaten run (W3, D2), including a decisive 3-2 win at Venezia on the final weekend.

 

For so long, Juventus had been synonymous with defensive soundness. However, that’s now part of the club’s past, with the Bianconeri only managing three clean sheets across their last 11 fixtures. Therefore, Tudor will hope to address these leaks in the United States and keep his side in good shape ahead of 2025/26.

 

On the other hand, Dusan Vlahovic may be playing his last tournament in the Juventus shirt. Manchester United have intensified their pursuit of the ex-Fiorentina striker despite Tudor’s willingness to reinstate the Serbian striker.

 

Perhaps this event could be his final chance to rekindle his Juventus career.

Team News

 ............

 

 

Meanwhile, Manuel Locatelli should be in contention for the starting line-up despite withdrawing from the Italy national team due to injury. However, this clash will come too soon for Gleison Bremer, Juan Cabal, Mattia Perin, and Arkadiusz Milik.

Al-Ain vs Juventus Potential Starting Line-ups

Al-Ain (3-4-1-2): Patricio; Autonne, Park, Cardoso; Traore, Nader, Palacios, Erik; Kaku; Laba, Rahimi.

Juventus (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Gatti, Kelly; Gonzalez, Thuram, Locatelli, Cambiaso; Conceicao, Yildiz; Kolo Muani.

Al-Ain vs Juventus Prediction

Despite all the struggles throughout the season, Juventus still boast a competitive edge in this contest. A narrow win for the Italian giants is on the cards. Indeed, this won’t be a walk in the park for Tudor’s side.

 

Prediction: Juventus to Win

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Read more -> https://cultofcalcio.com/club-world-cup-preview-al-ain-vs-juventus-team-news-line-ups-prediction/

[Socrates 8957]

[Socrates 8957]

 

Modificato June 19 da Socrates

[Socrates 8957]

Juventus smash Al Ain in maiden FIFA Club World Cup appearance

 

 

Juventus began their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with an emphatic victory over Al Ain by five unanswered goals.

 

The contest took place at the Audi Field in Washington, DC, and the Bianconeri managed to assert their authority from start to finish.

 

Igor Tudor maintained his 3-4-2-1 formation, spearheaded by Randal Kolo Muani, with Francisco Conceicao and Kenan Yildiz completing the attacking trident. ............

 

The goal festival began in the 11th minute when a slick series of passes culminated with a pinpoint cross from Costa and was met by the towering header of Kolo Muani who opened the scoring for the Turin-based giants.

 

Ten minutes later, it was Conceicao’s time to leave his mark, as he dribbled past a few opponents inside the box, before beating his compatriot, Rui Patricio, with a deflected shot.

 

At the half-hour mark, Yildiz made his presence felt as he took on his marker before unleashing a fabulous shot from the outside of the box that found the bottom corner.

 

Just before the half-time whistle, Thuram picked up Kolo Muani with a sensational long ball, and the latter made no mistake from close range. ............

 

Afterwards, Conceicao followed in Kolo Muani’s footsteps by bagging his brace with an exquisite solo effort. ............

 

Juventus have thus taken the lead in Group G ahead of Manchester City who beat Wydad by two goals earlier on Wednesday.

 

The Bianconeri’s next contest will take place on Sunday against the Moroccan club in Philadelphia.

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/highlights-juventus-smash-al-ain-in-maiden-fifa-club-world-cup-appearance/

[Socrates 8957]

Tudor praises Juventus duo after solid performance against Al Ain

 

 

Juventus manager Igor Tudor was naturally pleased with the overall performance of the team following the dominating 5-0 victory over Al Ain.

 

The Bianconeri kicked off their FIFA Club World Cup campaign by making a big statement, pummelling their Emirati opponents with five unanswered goals. ............

 

After the match, Tudor applauded his men for putting up a strong display in Washington, but insists it wasn’t easy to play in the heat.

 

“Al Ain pushed at the beginning, but we responded in the right way, it’s a good result and a good start that gives us confidence,” said the Croatian manager in his post-match interview.

 

“We were good at managing the tempo of the game, also because it was hot. We want to go as far as possible in the competition, we are happy with this start.” ............

 

“Conceicao had a good game, as did Kolo Muani. They are doing well, and I am also happy with the return of Federico Gatti and Teun Koopmeiners, they are important players.” ............

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/tudor-praises-juventus-duo-after-solid-performance-against-al-ain/

[Socrates 8957]

Juventus 5 - Al Ain 0: Initial reaction and random observations

 

 

If Juventus were to start off the Club World Cup on a positive note, they certainly had the chance to do so against competition that were not exactly deemed anywhere close to the best in the tournament. There’s the big showdown with an English giant at the end of the group stage, but the final fixture of Matchday 1 was Juve’s first opportunity to show some intent in the United States. ............

 

Within the opening 30 minutes at Audi Field, Juventus had already run out to a three-goal lead. The Bianconeri — albeit in their brand new all-blue away kit — didn’t take their foot off the gas despite that early lead, with Randal Kolo Muani securing a first-half brace to go along with goals from Francisco Conceição and Kenan Yildiz to put Juve up 4-0 going into halftime. It was all they needed to open their Club World Cup campaign with a 5-0 victory over UAE side Al Ain, with Conceição also claiming a brace before the final whistle was sounded.

 

It was an incredibly efficient night in front of goal for a Juve side that, as we know all too well from the Serie A season, is something we haven’t been able to say all too often of late.

 

Juventus recorded four shots on target in the first half.

 

They scored four goals in the first half. ............

 

 

The catch in all of this, of course, is that four of Juventus’ five goals were scored by players who are still on loan at the club and may not even be a part of next season’s roster if something can’t be worked out later this summer. We know Juventus want to keep Kolo Muani and that there are certainly talks to come in the next few weeks. Conceição, though, is a hard situation to read — so much of the first few weeks of the Igor Tudor era was filled with him barely playing ... but now? It’s hard to say, and it’s not like Juventus couldn’t use a player with his trickiness and creativity on the roster come the start of the 2025-26 campaign. ............

RANDOM THOUGHTS AND OBSERVATIONS

 ............

 

• By the time it was halftime, that humidity figure was up to 95%. My goodness.
• That header from Kolo Muani on his first goal. That sure was a cool finish.
• Oh, you want something that’s potentially even cooler? Well, then there’s Kolo Muani’s finish on his second goal, with nice little shot with the outside of his foot so that the ball bends in at the far post and doesn’t go wide. Just perfectly executed.
• That finish from Yildiz, too. All of Juventus’ goals against Al Ain had something really nice to go along with it and were far from simple finishes.
• The fact that Yildiz placed his shot where he did and go as much on it in terms of velocity while completely draped by an Al Ain defender just shows you how strong he is despite being just barely 20 years old. That boy, he’s pretty good.

• Don’t worry, I didn’t forget Chico. That little man was everywhere. And the fact he had enough juice in his legs for that fantastic run that nearly set up Kolo Muani for a hat trick was a great capper to a great night. ............

• Your assist leader after Matchday 1 of the Club World Cup: Alberto Costa.
• Also leading the Club World Cup in assists after Matchday 1: Khephren Thuram. ............
• Seeing Alberto Costa do good things — regardless of how you feel about the level of competition Juventus faced on Wednesday night — was really nice to see. If he has a nice tournament, he’s going to be carrying some really positive vibes into next season.
• Nicola Savona playing in the center of Tudor’s back three was not something I was expecting to see when the starting lineups were announced. But here we are, and I think it went pretty admirably. ............
• We got 45 whole minutes of Douglas Luiz against Al Ain. How ‘bout that?!
• Welcome back, Pierre Kalulu. Nice to see you again.
• The one downside of the big first-half lead? How Juventus began the second half. Thank goodness for Michele Di Gregorio being good and for VAR coming to the rescue or else there would have been no shutout.
• With their five-goal night, Juve are now atop Group G on goal differential. Take that, Pep!

Read more -> https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2025/6/19/24451708/juventus-al-ain-2025-club-world-cup-group-stage-final-score-result-initial-reaction-observations

[Socrates 8957]

Costa, Yildiz & the most interesting numbers Juventus registered against Al Ain

 

 

Juventus began their FIFA Club World Cup campaign on the right foot, smashing five goals past Al Ain on Wednesday night. ............

 

For the first time since their contest against Sassuolo in February 2018, the Old Lady scored four goals in the first half of an official fixture, thus breaking a seven-plus-year run.

 

On another note, Kolo Muani picked up from where he left off in the final round of the Serie A campaign. The French striker has now registered five goals in his last six appearances, putting his 11-match drought behind him.

 

 

Alberto Costa may have endured a slow start to his Italian experience after making his January move, but he’s now growing in confidence and esteem with every new appearance.

 

The Portuguese right-back created the first two goals, becoming the first Juventus ‘defender’ to provide two assists in a match since Danilo’s exploits against Salernitana in January 2024.

 

 

Yildiz became the second youngest scorer in the tournament, only behind Paris Saint-Germain’s teenager Senny Mayulu (17/05/2006).

 

Finally, Igor Tudor fielded the third-youngest starting lineup in the tournament, with an average age of 24 years and 171 days. Only Red Bull Salzburg (22 years and 243 days) and Manchester City (24 years and 93 days) put on younger lineups. ............

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/costa-yildiz-the-most-interesting-numbers-juventus-registered-against-al-ain/

[Socrates 8957]

[Socrates 8957]

Two Juventus stars competing for starting role in attacking trident against Wydad

 

 

Juventus manager Igor Tudor has a selection dilemma to resolve before Sunday’s clash against Wydad CA. The contest will take place in Philadelphia on Sunday, 18:00 CET.

 

The Serie A giants started their Club World Cup campaign on a high note, demolishing Al Ain by five unanswered goals. ............

 

Tudor is leaning towards confirming the starting lineup that produced a commanding display on the opening matchday, or at least the bulk of it.

 

In attack, Randal Kolo Muani will certainly lead the attack once more at the expense of Dusan Vlahovic, especially after receiving the MVP award for his exploits against Al Ain. ............

 

Moreover, Kenan Yildiz remains an undisputed starter in the left attacking midfielder role. The Turkish youngster was also on the scoresheet against the UAE giants on Wednesday. ............

 

On the other hand, Francisco Conceicao’s starting berth is under threat, despite bagging a fabulous brace last time around.

 

Tudor is considering reinstating Teun Koopmeiners who has now recovered from the injury that kept him out of action for two months. ............

 

Many would argue that the Portuguese winger is more deserving of a starting role, whether based on his latest display, or his overall performance throughout the campaign.

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/conceicao-koopmeiners-starting-role-juventus-wydad/

 

Modificato June 21 da Socrates

[Socrates 8957]

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

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Read more -> https://cultofcalcio.com/club-world-cup-preview-juventus-vs-wydad-ac-team-news-line-ups-prediction/

[Socrates 8957]

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.

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Read more -> https://thehardtackle.com/round-up/2025/06/21/juventus-vs-wydad-casablanca-preview-and-prediction/

[Socrates 8957]

[Socrates 8957]

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.

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/kenan-yildiz-inspires-juventus-to-a-club-world-cup-win-over-wydad/

 

Modificato June 22 da Socrates