JUVENTUS SEASON 2025-2026

[Socrates 9092]

Marelli: VAR ‘correct’ to award Adzic goal despite Thuram-Bonny clash in build-up

 

 

Refereeing expert Luca Marelli believes that the officials and VAR were ‘correct’ to ignore a coming together between Khephren Thuram and Ange-Yoan Bonny in the build-up to Vasilije Adzic’s 91st minute winner during Juventus’s 4-3 Derby d’Italia victory over rivals Inter on Saturday evening. ............

 

There were two moments of contact from Khephren Thuram on Ange-Yoan Bonny that needed checking: Firstly for a clash of legs, and secondly for a potential hand to the face from the Juventus player to his Nerazzurri opponent.

 

Bonny fell to the floor after apparent contact from Thuram, sought a foul, but was unsuccessful in his appeals as the refereeing team deemed Adzic’s goal to be legal.

 

Former official Marelli, currently serving as a refereeing expert for DAZN, believes that VAR made the correct decision to award Adzic’s goal.

 

“VAR checked two possible moments of contact in the challenge between Khephren Thuram and (Ange-Yoan) Bonny,” Marelli told DAZN viewers after full-time. ............

 

“He touches the ball, then there’s a bit of contact with the feet, but it has no relevance.

 

“As for the blow to the face that Bonny complained about, it has to be said that the touch was very, very light and in my opinion, it was correct to let it go and validate Adzic’s goal.”

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Read more -> https://football-italia.net/marelli-var-correct-award-adzic-goal-vs-inter/

Modificato Domenica alle 18:23 da Socrates

[Socrates 9092]

What Vlahovic told Adzic after hitting Juventus 4-3 Inter winner: ‘Magico’

 

 

Vasilije Adzic told reporters that Dusan Vlahovic could not stop saying ‘magico’ after the 19-year-old hit the winner in the thrilling Derby d’Italia between Juventus and Inter on Saturday night, which resulted in a 4-3 victory for the Bianconeri.

 

Adzic made headlines with his 91st minute thunderbolt, which settled the scores after an end-to-end affair at the Allianz Stadium. ............

 

“This is a dream to play for Juventus and score the winner in such an important game. I’m happy, I want to thank all my teammates and the staff, they trusted me,” Adzic told reporters during his post-match press conference after full-time on Saturday night.

 

Adzic went on to reveal what his ‘big brother’ Vlahovic told him after full-time. 

 

“He told me ‘magico’ 50 times. He and Filip (Kostic) are two great friends. I want to thank them. We always talk, often in the same language and that’s important.” ............

 

“It’s important (to have confidence). We won the Derby d’Italia, but we have to think game by game. Juventus is the biggest club in Italy.

 

“I want to show that I can play here this year. It’s important to keep my feet on the ground, to train well, I want to continue like this. This is a goal that has been achieved, I’ve worked hard for this moment.”

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Read more -> https://football-italia.net/what-vlahovic-told-adzic-juventus-4-3-inter/

Modificato Domenica alle 18:28 da Socrates

[Socrates 9092]

Capello analyses Juventus 4-3 Inter: ‘A mixture of courage and recklessness’

 

 

Fabio Capello has plenty to say about Juventus’s 4-3 victory over Inter in the Derby d’Italia on Saturday evening, pointing at potential goalkeeping errors, a ‘tired’ Lautaro Martinez and a ‘mixture of courage and recklessness’ from 19-year-old match-winner Vasilije Adzic. ............

 

Capello was impressed by Juventus, their defensive solidity and their ability to create chances without dominating possession for the majority of the game.

 

“Tudor managed the game very well, with a lot of tactical detail, and had chances to score without dominating the match. The old argument is back: Ball possession doesn’t count for much,” Capello wrote. ............

 

“We must also focus on Adzic. If someone has the courage to come on and shoot like that, we have to wait and see what potential he really has. It was a mixture of courage and recklessness. If he’d have shot and hit the corner flag, we’d all be saying ‘why did he shoot from 30 yards? Pass the ball!” ............

 

“Inter have partly found their team, but Chivu now finds himself starting basically from scratch after two defeats. Meanwhile, Juventus now understand that they can aim for the Scudetto. ............

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Read more -> https://football-italia.net/capello-analyses-juventus-4-3-inter/

[Socrates 9092]

Sacchi advises Juventus ahead of Dortmund

 

 

Legendary former Milan and Italy head coach Arrigo Sacchi has given his thoughts ahead of the first round of 2025-26 Champions League fixtures coming up this week, which brings a particularly exciting set of fixtures involving the Italian sides, as Juventus will go up against Borussia Dortmund, Inter against Ajax, Atalanta against PSG and Napoli against Man City. ............

 

Juventus are looking to bounce back after a disappointing play-off round exit against PSV last season. The same goes for Atalanta, who were knocked out by Club Brugge in the play-off phase last season.

 

Inter, meanwhile, made it all the way to the Champions League final last term, but were humbled 5-0 by eventual champions PSG in Munich. ............

 

Sacchi was asked if he thinks Juventus have the ‘easiest’ match of the four Italian sides, to which he replied: “It’s only the least difficult game on paper, because in reality, there could potentially be several slip-ups.

 

“Starting with the fact that the Bianconeri are coming in after a very tough duel against Inter in the league. Dortmund on the other hand will play away against Heidenheim, who have not yet picked up a point in the Bundesliga.

 

“These details have to be taken into consideration in the Champions League.”

 

Sacchi agrees, though, that Juventus remain the favourites in this particular fixture. ............

 

“As long as they follow the coach’s directives perfectly.

 

“Tudor wants defensive solidity and a very vertical game. If the Bianconeri are solid and vertical, they can overcome Dortmund and start off their Champions League journey in a great way.” ............

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Read more -> https://football-italia.net/sacchi-advises-juve-inter-atalanta-and-napoli/

[Socrates 9092]

Will Conceicao return for Juventus’ match against Borussia Dortmund?

 

 

Francisco Conceicao was a noticeable absentee from Juventus’ victory over Inter Milan in the Derby d’Italia. The attacker, who had returned early from international duty with Portugal due to injury, was considered a possibility to feature until the morning of the match. However, on the day of the game, Igor Tudor decided to exclude him from the squad.

 

The forward will now concentrate on regaining full fitness, with his focus set on making a return as soon as possible. Juventus’ next challenge comes in the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund, a crucial fixture in their early-season campaign. ............

 

Juventus will assess his recovery carefully in the coming days before making a final decision regarding his involvement against the German side. Tudor is determined not to take unnecessary risks and is expected to prioritise the player’s long-term availability over short-term gain. ............

 

While Juventus’ perfect domestic start has been encouraging, the Champions League demands a higher level of performance. Matches against strong European opponents such as Borussia Dortmund will test the resilience and depth of the squad, making full availability of key players highly desirable. ............

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/will-conceicao-return-for-juventus-match-against-borussia-dortmund/

[Socrates 9092]

Amoruso impressed with Igor Tudor’s reading of the Inter Milan game

 

 

Igor Tudor continues to demonstrate his qualities as an underrated manager, with his tactical decision-making proving decisive in Juventus’ dramatic victory over Inter Milan. ............

 

With so much at stake, the contest was always likely to be fiercely contested. Cristian Chivu, who has shown he understands how to set up his side against Juventus, presented a tactical challenge. Inter looked to have the advantage at one stage, leading 3-2 and threatening to end Juventus’ unbeaten start.

 

However, the men in black and white displayed remarkable resilience, mounting a spirited comeback to turn the game around and eventually secure a 4-3 victory. The performance not only highlighted the determination within the squad but also showcased Tudor’s growing reputation for in-game management. ............

 

Nicola Amoruso was keen to underline the significance of Tudor’s influence in guiding Juventus to victory. He remarked, “It was a great advert for Italian football, an exciting and hard-fought match in the Premier League style. We saw very strong signals from Juventus, a team with clear ideas. Tudor read the game very well with his substitutions.”

 

The recognition highlights how Tudor’s decisions from the touchline were instrumental in shifting the balance of the match. His willingness to make bold adjustments ensured that Juventus could overturn a difficult situation and secure a statement victory against one of their fiercest rivals. ............

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/pundit-impressed-with-igor-tudors-reading-of-the-inter-milan-game/

[Socrates 9092]

Former Inter player defends Thuram for laughing incident against Juventus

 

 

Former Inter defender Andrea Ranocchia has revealed that the image captured of Marcus Thuram laughing with his brother Khephren after Juventus took the lead in Saturday’s Derby d’Italia is a simple misunderstanding.

 

Ranocchia said “I won’t reveal my source but I know that Thuram simply told his brother ‘to tell the truth, you committed a foul’, and the brothers burst into laughter. That’s all there is to it.” ............

 

A simple incident but one which infuriated Inter fans in the immediate aftermath of the match. Head coach Cristian Chivu also told the press to “stop making controversy” after they asked him about the photograph after the game. ............

 

Marcus Thuram had only just given Inter the lead when six minutes later his brother Khephren equalised through a header.

 

In stoppage time, Montenegrin youngster Vasilije Adzic scored a wonderful effort from long-range to give Igor Tudor’s side all three points and leaving Inter to return home to Lombardy with nothing. ............

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Read more -> https://football-italia.net/former-inter-player-defends-thuram-juventus/

[Socrates 9092]

Tudor reveals Yildiz did not play how he wanted against Inter Milan

 

 

Kenan Yildiz once again proved his growing importance to Juventus as he played a decisive role in their Derby d’Italia victory over Inter Milan. The 20-year-old continues to mature into one of the club’s most influential players, delivering performances that belie his age and strengthening his position as a cornerstone of Juventus’ long-term project. ............

 

Tudor has entrusted the young forward with greater responsibility, often granting him freedom in attacking roles. This confidence has enabled Yildiz to embrace the challenge of becoming the poster boy for the current Juventus side, where his influence continues to grow. ............

 

Despite his overall impact, Tudor noted that Yildiz did not fully carry out specific tactical instructions during the clash with Inter. The Juventus coach explained, “I used a sort of diamond formation with Yildiz behind Vlahovic, but we didn’t do it well. We didn’t press well and we dropped back too quickly. He has to find space behind the striker; he’s a strong player, and strong players need to stay closer to the goal. Now we have to adapt because we have three central attackers; we have to make the most of our squad. It’s nice to win even if you don’t have a great game.”

 

Tudor’s comments underline both the expectations placed on Yildiz and the broader tactical flexibility required as Juventus balance their attacking options. While there are areas for refinement in his positional play, the manager’s trust highlights the belief that Yildiz will continue to develop into a decisive figure. ............

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/tudor-reveals-yildiz-did-not-play-how-he-wanted-against-inter-milan/

[Socrates 9092]

Preview: Juventus vs Borussia Dortmund - prediction, team news, lineups

 

 

With the Champions League set to return on Tuesday, Juventus will host Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday at Allianz Stadium.

 

The Italian home side will hope to continue their perfect start to the campaign, with the club beating rivals Inter Milan 4-3 in Serie A on Saturday, while the Bundesliga visitors won 2-0 against Heidenheim on the same day.

Match preview

Juventus trailed 3-2 against Inter when Marcus Thuram netted their third in the 76th minute, but two goals from the 83rd minute onwards ensured that the hosts claimed a third victory in the league, ending the weekend in second place behind Napoli on goal difference.

 

The Old Lady's win last time out means they have won three out of three in 2025-26, and they did also prevail in four of their prior six competitive outings, with both of their losses in that time coming in the Club World Cup.

 

Igor Tudor's side failed to keep a clean sheet for the first time this season when they faced Inter, though they have now found the back of the net on seven occasions.

 

The hosts' Champions League performances last term were poor considering they finished 20th in the league phase with nine points, but while they were entered into the round of 16 playoff round, they squandered their lifeline by losing 4-3 on aggregate against PSV Eindhoven in February.

 

Juve failed to score in three of their final four games in the league phase, and though they did beat Bundesliga opponents RB Leipzig 3-2 in October 2024, they were beaten 1-0 by Bundesliga side Stuttgart in the same month.

 

The White and Blacks have triumphed in their past six home fixtures - all six were in Serie A - but they suffered two defeats at Allianz Stadium in their four most recent European matches at the ground. ............

 

Head coach Niko Kovac has overseen three victories and a draw so far this campaign - scoring nine times - and his side are currently second in the Bundesliga with seven points from three matches.

 

Dortmund have won two and drawn one of their three away outings in 2025-26, and they ended 2024-25 with two wins and a stalemate in their final three matches on the road.

 

Juventus form (all competitions):

• 
  
• W
  
• W
  
• W

 

Borussia Dortmund form (all competitions):

• 
  
• W
  
• D
  
• W
  
• W

Team News

Most of Juventus' first-team options are fit, so barring any late injuries, centre-back Bremer should be expected to play in the middle of a back three with Federico Gatti and Lloyd Kelly.

 

Manuel Locatelli's ability to take possession under pressure will be vital in midfield, and he may be partnered by Khephren Thuram.

 

In the frontline, Jonathan David and Dusan Vlahovic could start together, supported by Kenan Yildiz.

 

Borussia Dortmund's strong defensive displays are remarkable given they have not been able to call upon Emre Can, Niklas Sule or Nico Schlotterbeck in defence. ............

 

 

Juventus possible starting lineup:

Di Gregorio; Gatti, Bremer, Kelly; Kalulu, Locatelli, Thuram, McKennie; Yildiz; Vlahovic, David

 

Borussia Dortmund possible starting lineup:

Kobel; Anselmino, Anton, Bensebaini; Couto, Sabitzer, Bellingham, Svensson; Brandt, Beier; Guirassy

 

We say: Juventus 2-2 Borussia Dortmund

Juventus showed their vulnerability against Inter, and given Dortmund have been strong away from home, they should be confident of creating opportunities.

 

The hosts should also be confident that they can threaten BVB's ravaged backline, so it would not be surprising if the two sides played out an entertaining draw.

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Read more -> https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/juventus/champions-league/preview/juventus-vs-dortmund-prediction-team-news-lineups_581494.html

[Socrates 9092]

Referees appointed for Juventus, Inter & Atalanta Champions League games

 

 

UEFA have officially confirmed the referee appointments for this week’s Champions League matches for Juventus against Dortmund, Ajax against Inter and PSG vs Atalanta. ............

 

Juventus and Inter have both reached the final twice since Mourinho’s Nerazzurri lifted the treble but have lost in every occasion. ............

 

JUVENTUS-BORUSSIA DORTMUND
Referee: François Letexier (France)
Assistants: Cyril Mugnier (France), Mehdi Rahmouni (France)
Fourth official: Jérémie Pignard (France)
Video Assistant Referee: Jérôme Brisard (France)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Willy Delajod (France)

 

AJAX-INTER
Referee: Michael Oliver (England)
Assistants: Stuart Burt (England), James Mainwaring (England) ............

 

PSG-ATALANTA
Referee: Sandro Scharer (Switzerland)
Assistants: Stéphane De Almeida (Switzerland), Jonas Erni (Switzerland) ............

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Read more -> https://football-italia.net/ref-juventus-inter-atalanta-champions-league/

[Socrates 9092]

Tudor: Juventus ‘have to play a good game against Dortmund, we’ll see about Yildiz’

 

 

Igor Tudor has made it clear that he needs a strong performance from his Juventus players in their first Champions League match of the season, which falls against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night, and says we will have to wait and see whether Kenan Yildiz starts against after his Derby d’Italia stunner against Inter over the weekend. ............

 

“(They’re) a very strong team, not only in Germany, but also on a European level. We played them in a friendly, now it’s a totally different game. It’s nice, the first (Champions League) game at home and it’s a really high-level game and we can’t wait for it to start,” Tudor said of Tuesday night’s opposition during his pre-match press conference on Monday night. ............

 

Journalists asked Tudor what he makes of the comparisons between the young Turkish talent Yildiz and another Bianconeri no.10, Alessandro Del Piero.

 

Tudor, however, is not keen on the comparison: “You make the comparisons, but he doesn’t think about Del Piero at all. He plays football and you make these comparisons. You have to leave the boy to live his life and grow without talking about him every day. He’s doing well.

 

Asked if Yildiz is guaranteed to start after his Derby d’Italia brilliance, Tudor replied: “We’ll see.”

 

When asked how high he thinks this Juventus team can go, Tudor replied: “I never think about where we can go. We have to play a good game against Dortmund. We have to be quick and see where we can hurt them. This is a competition with top teams and difficult matches.” ............

 

And reflecting on the Derby d’Italia victory over Inter, Tudor added: “We played against the strongest team in Serie A with their squad, in my opinion, they’re also ahead of Napoli. ............

 

“When I was coaching in Verona, I said I preferred a 4-3 to a 1-0. That was three years ago. My philosophy now is to win first and foremost, then, if we can score more goals, score them. I like attacking football, but it depends on the players’ characteristics. The goal is to win, then I aim for more goals. A 3-0 would be better.” ............

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Read more -> https://football-italia.net/tudor-juventus-need-a-good-game-vs-dortmund/

[Socrates 9092]

Locatelli: Juventus ‘more of a group than last year, excited for Dortmund’

 

 

Manuel Locatelli is looking forward to leading Juventus into their new Champions League campaign as club captain, and says that the Bianconeri are full of confidence ahead of their opener against Borussia Dortmund following their 4-3 victory over rivals Inter in the Derby d’Italia. ............

 

Locatelli joined head coach Tudor for the pre-match press conference on Monday evening. Here is what the Juve skipper had to say: 

“We’re coming in exciting and this match brings a lot of enthusiasm after winning the Derby d’Italia. So it’s certainly a good thing, we’re excited, we’re doing well and we’re confident.

 

“The Champions League starts tomorrow, which is the best competition there is. We’re at home and there will be a great atmosphere, hearing that music will be very special and we’re all very excited.” ............

 

“We had regrets about our elimination last year. The group is in good shape, we’re training well together. We approach it giving 100%, at home, in front of our fans, it’s important to start well.

 

“There are teams that are stronger than us, but our secret is that when we are compact, we’re solid and we want to work hard. The goal is to try and get as far as possible, we have to be ready for any surprises. We have to be enthusiastic and have a desire to play as a team.” ............

 

“We’re working well with the coach, we finished well under him last year and starting again with him and his staff has been important. It was important to get to know each other better during the Club World Cup, and it was also important from a personal point of view. But yes, maybe we are more of a group than last year.” ............

 

“It’s a different competition, there’s a lot of quality in attack. There are various teams that play differently. Last year PSG won because of their quality up front, but also because of Donnarumma’s saves.” ............

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Read more -> https://football-italia.net/locatelli-juventus-more-of-a-group-last-year/

[Socrates 9092]

Kovac: ‘Juventus have enormous potential, we will have to resist the pressure’

 

 

Borussia Dortmund head coach Nico Kovac was full of praise for Juventus and his friend Igor Tudor ahead of the meeting of the two sides in the Champions League on Tuesday night, but insists that the Bundesliga side ‘want to show that we have the quality to impose ourselves’. ............

 

Kovac believes that the home advantage will be a huge benefit to Juventus on Tuesday night. 

 

“We’re playing away from home tomorrow night, and that’s an advantage for them. There will be 40,000 fans in attendance. We will have to resist the pressure from their fans as well. 

 

“We saw the qualities of this team when we played them in Dortmund, we saw that they have a great squad with enormous potential, but we want to show tomorrow that we have the quality to impose ourselves in Turin.” ............

 

“I’m happy to go up against my friend Igor tomorrow, and his coaching career doesn’t surprise me.

 

“It’s an exceptional achievement to have made it to the Champions League, and he did very well in France as well. Juventus have a lot of good players. We’ll see how it ends tomorrow.”

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Read more -> https://football-italia.net/kovac-juventus-have-enormous-potential/

[Socrates 9092]

Juventus vs Borussia Dortmund: Preview and Prediction

 

 

The UEFA Champions League group stage returns this week with a heavyweight clash at the Allianz Stadium as Juventus host Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night. Both clubs enter the contest in fine domestic form, setting the stage for an enticing European encounter.

 

Juventus arrive with momentum after edging an exhilarating 4-3 Derby d’Italia victory over Inter Milan at the weekend. Despite trailing 3-2 with less than 15 minutes to play, late strikes turned the tide and extended their flawless start to the Serie A season. Igor Tudor’s men now sit second in the table behind Napoli only on goal difference, with three wins from three.

 

The Old Lady’s sharp attack has yielded seven goals in their first three league matches, though their defensive record faltered for the first time against Inter. That balance between attacking flair and defensive stability will be critical if Juventus are to improve on last season’s disappointing Champions League campaign.

 

In 2024/25, Juventus finished 20th in the league phase with just nine points, and their elimination in the round of 16 playoff against PSV Eindhoven (4-3 on aggregate) highlighted their European frailties. They failed to score in three of their last four league-phase games, and their record against Bundesliga opponents was mixed: a narrow 3-2 win over RB Leipzig offset by a 1-0 loss to VfB Stuttgart. ............

 

Dortmund warmed up for this clash with a comfortable 2-0 victory over FC Heidenheim, aided by an early red card that left their opponents a man short for 70 minutes. Niko Kovac’s men took advantage, creating three big chances while allowing just one shot on target. The result gave BVB back-to-back league wins and extended their unbeaten start to the Bundesliga season. ............

Team News & Tactics

Juventus

Juventus head into their Champions League opener with a relatively clean bill of health. Most of Igor Tudor’s first-team regulars are available for selection, and there are no major suspensions to contend with. The only concern would be any late knocks picked up in training, but as it stands, Tudor should be able to deploy a strong lineup against Borussia Dortmund.

 

The defensive structure looks particularly settled. Gleison Bremer is expected to anchor the back three, flanked by Federico Gatti and summer arrival Lloyd Kelly. This trio gives Juve a blend of physical strength, aerial dominance, and composure on the ball.

 

Tudor is set to line up his side in a 3-4-1-2 formation, designed to give balance between solidity at the back and dynamism in attack. In goal, Michele Di Gregorio will continue as the first-choice goalkeeper. Ahead of him, the three-man defence will feature Federico Gatti on the right side, Gleison Bremer marshalling the central area, and Lloyd Kelly slotting in on the left of the back line.

 

The wing-back roles are crucial in Tudor’s system. Pierre Kalulu will operate on the right, providing pace and width both defensively and offensively, while Weston McKennie is likely to start on the left, offering versatility and energy to shuttle up and down the flank.

 

In midfield, Manuel Locatelli will sit at the base, tasked with dictating play and recycling possession under pressure. Alongside him, Khephren Thuram brings physicality and ball-carrying ability, complementing Locatelli’s metronomic passing.

 

Ahead of them, Kenan Yildiz is expected to operate in the advanced playmaking role, linking midfield with attack and providing creativity between the lines. Up front, Dusan Vlahovic and Jonathan David should form the strike partnership. Vlahovic offers a powerful penalty-box presence, while David’s intelligent movement and finishing instinct provide a more mobile threat.

 

Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Di Gregorio; Gatti, Bremer, Kelly; Kalulu, Locatelli, Thuram, McKennie; Yildiz; Vlahovic, David

Borussia Dortmund

 ............

 

Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Kobel; Anselmino, Anton, Bensebaini; Couto, Sabitzer, Bellingham, Svensson; Brandt, Beier; Guirassy

Key Stats

• This will be the 10th competitive meeting between Juventus and Borussia Dortmund in Europe. The Old Lady have won six of the previous nine encounters, losing just twice.

• Borussia Dortmund have lost five of their last six away games against Italian opposition in the Champions League (W1). Their only success in that run was a 2-1 victory at Bologna last season.

• Juventus have never lost when opening a European Cup/UEFA Champions League campaign. Out of 14 opening fixtures, they have won 11 and drawn three, including a 3-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven in last year’s edition.

• Borussia Dortmund have made fast starts in Europe, winning their opening group-stage fixture in three of the last four Champions League campaigns. The only exception was a 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in 2023/24.

• Igor Tudor will oversee his first Champions League campaign as Juventus manager in 2025/26. If successful, he would become only the fourth individual to both play for and manage Juventus in this competition, following in the footsteps of Ciro Ferrara, Antonio Conte, and Andrea Pirlo.

Player to Watch

Jonathan David

All eyes will be on Jonathan David, Juventus’s summer signing who has been brought in to add pace, movement, and goals to Igor Tudor’s frontline. The Canadian striker has already begun to show flashes of his quality, offering clever runs in behind and a tireless work rate that stretches defences and creates space for strike partner Dusan Vlahovic.

 

David’s versatility allows him to play as both a poacher and a second striker, linking play with midfielders like Kenan Yildiz while also being clinical in the penalty area. Against Borussia Dortmund’s makeshift back line, which will be without established figures like Niklas Süle and Nico Schlotterbeck, his intelligent positioning could prove decisive. ............

Prediction

Juventus 1-1 Borussia Dortmund

Juventus will look to use their home advantage and carry momentum from their dramatic derby win into Europe, but Borussia Dortmund’s defensive solidity and away form suggest this could be a tight affair.

 

Both teams are capable of scoring, yet they may ultimately cancel each other out in an evenly matched contest. The Hard Tackle predicts a 1-1 draw between Juventus and Borussia Dortmund in the midweek UEFA Champions League clash.

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Read more -> https://thehardtackle.com/round-up/2025/09/16/juventus-vs-borussia-dortmund-preview-and-prediction/

[Socrates 9092]

Champions League Preview: Juventus vs. Borussia Dortmund

 

 

 ............

 

So now, we fast forward back to the present time in which Juventus are coming off a wild win over Inter at the weekend. The midweek matchup in which they quickly shift their focus to isn’t against a potential relegation battler. Instead, it’s their Champions League opener against Borussia Dortmund, a team they were playing against in a summertime friendly just a month ago. Tuesday night’s matchup at the Stadium will see Juventus look to keep this early-season success going, with Dortmund being looked at as just as much of a test right out of the gate in Europe as PSV Eindhoven was a year ago. ............

 

If that first experience in the league phase taught us anything, it’s probably this: just try and get into the top eight as much as possible. Avoid the play-off round. Just don’t even risk your entire European future for the season coming down to 180 minutes and added two more games onto an already busy schedule as we approach the late-winter portion of the season.

 

Of course, when it comes to Juventus playing Borussia Dortmund, the fact they just played a friendly against one another on Aug. 10 is an interesting subplot to all of this. How much can you take out of it and apply to this matchup? I don’t really know. It’s a friendly in comparison to the first Champions League fixture of the season, which comes with its own unique bit of intensity. So as much as we can say Juventus played well in said friendly — which they did on top of simply getting the win — it’s still no match for what they’re set to face Tuesday night. ............

 

Juventus and Dortmund last played a competitive fixture in 2015 when Carlos Tévez scored that banger of a goal in Germany to get the ball rolling and help the Bianconeri continue their march toward the Champions League final. ............

 

TEAM NEWS

• Just as was the case over the weekend, Francisco Conceição won’t be available due to muscle fatigue that caused him to return from international duty with Portugal early.
• As he said at his introductory press conference last week, Deadline Day signing Edon Zhegorva is still working toward full fitness and won’t be ready until after the weekend trip to Hellas Verona at the earliest.
• Fabio Miretti is also doubt as he continues to work his way back from the injury he suffered in preseason.
• Both Conceição and Miretti did not training with the group on Monday. ............
• Even though this isn’t Serie A and his two-game suspension is now over, it’s safe to say that Andrea Cambiaso will be well rested as he likely retakes his spot in the starting lineup on Tuesday night. This is also to serve as a reminder that Cambiaso scored both goals against Dortmund in the friendly the two teams played last month.
• When asked about the morale of the squad coming out of the big win over Inter at the weekend, Tudor said: “The squad is doing well in every respect.”
• A nice little tidbit coming into this one: Tudor will become only the fourth person to both play for and then manage Juventus in the Champions League, joining a list that includes Ciro Ferrara, Antonio Conte and most recently Andrea Pirlo.
• This will be the first game in the Champions League that Tudor will coach since the group stage in 2022 when he was manager at Marseille. They only won two of their six fixtures, losing the other four and finishing bottom of a group that also included Tottenham, Sporting and Eintracht Frankfurt.

 

JUVENTUS PLAYER TO WATCH

Coming off a huge win over Inter, there’s a lot of directions we can go with this. The vibes are good, there’s a positive energy coming from this team and obviously you’re going to get a lot of good performers when you start the season with three straight wins and an emotional Derby d’Italia victory. ............

 

 

Khephren Thuram is Juventus’ most talented midfielder. I don’t think there’s an argument for somebody else. No offense to Manuel Locatelli, but you look at Thuram and feel like he can only get better from his current form is — and that’s an enticing thought for the future regarding a player who clearly loves where he’s at. (And so does his fashion icon father, who did a thing or two in Turin during his playing career.)

 

So, with that said, it’s easy to think that Juventus need Thuram at his best if they want to win these big fixtures during the Champions League league phase. So far this season, he’s been rather good, too.

 

Thuram currently leads Serie A in tackles. He’s got the most successful dribbles on the Juventus roster by somebody not named Kenan Yildiz. His game-tying goal against Inter provided Juventus with the jolt of energy they needed to get the late-game comeback truly going just when it looked like they might not get points. ............

 

MATCH INFO

When: Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025.

Where: Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy.

Official kickoff time: 9 p.m. local time in Italy and across Europe, 8 p.m. in the United Kingdom, 3 p.m. Eastern time, 2 p.m. Central time, 12 p.m. Pacific time.

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Read more -> https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/match-previews/32151/juventus-borussia-dortmund-2025-champions-league-league-phase-preview-team-news-schedule-how-to-watch

[Socrates 9092]

Francisco Conceicao still trained apart from the rest of the squad

 

 

Francisco Conceição was absent from Juventus’ victory over Inter Milan after returning early from international duty with Portugal due to injury. His absence was felt by the Bianconeri, who regard him as a vital figure in their attacking setup and had hoped he would be available for such an important fixture. ............

 

The focus now shifts to the Champions League, where Juventus are set to face Borussia Dortmund this week. Conceição will be eager to return in time for the European tie, but uncertainty remains regarding his fitness. The winger did not join group training and instead continued an individual programme designed to help him regain full fitness at the Allianz Stadium.

 

This situation leaves Juventus with an important decision to make. While Conceição’s inclusion would undoubtedly strengthen their attacking options, the club may take a cautious approach to avoid aggravating the injury. At this stage, it appears increasingly likely that he could miss the midweek fixture and only return at the weekend. ............

 

Conceição’s creativity and dynamism make him one of Juventus’ most effective attacking outlets, and his return will be welcomed once he is fully fit. However, the club’s depth in forward areas ensures that there is no pressing need to rush him back prematurely. A measured recovery could be more beneficial in the long term, ensuring he is available for the crucial run of fixtures ahead. ............

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/juventus-attacker-still-trained-apart-from-the-rest-of-the-squad/

[Socrates 9092]

Champions League: Juventus vs Borussia Dortmund – probable line-ups

 

 

Italian sources claim that Juventus will look to Lois Openda and Jonathan David for their Champions League opener against Borussia Dortmund tonight.

 

It kicks off at 21:00 CET (20:00 BST) at the Allianz Stadium in Turin. ............

 

Andrea Cambiaso returns to action after a two-game ban in Serie A and is expected to start as a left wing-back, with Pierre Kalulu on the opposite flank.

 

Kenan Yildiz will get the nod as an attacking midfielder, while Khephren Thuram and Manuel Locatelli will be confirmed in central midfield, just like Lloyd Kelly, Gleison Bremer and Federico Gatti at the back.

 

Edon Zhegrova and Fabio Miretti are still injured, and Francisco Conceiçao didn’t train with the rest of the team on Monday, so he’s likely to be omitted from the Juventus squad list that will be released later this morning. ............

Juventus vs Borussia Dortmund – Probable line-ups

Juventus (3-4-1-2): Di Gregorio; Gatti, Bremer, Kelly; Kalulu, Locatelli, Thuram, Cambiaso; Yildiz; David, Openda.

Borussia Dortmund (3-4-3): Kobel; Ryerson, Anton, Bensebaini; Yan Couto, Bellingham, Nmecha, Svensson; Adeyemi, Guirassy, Beier.

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Read more -> https://football-italia.net/juventus-b-dortmund-probable-line-ups-watch-tv/

[Socrates 9092]

[Socrates 9092]

Juventus salvage late draw in 4-4 thriller against Dortmund

 

 

Juventus and Borussia Dortmund produced a remarkable 4-4 draw in Turin in their opening Champions League fixture of the 2025/2026 season.

 

Having already beaten Borussia Dortmund during pre-season and overcoming Inter Milan at the weekend, Juventus entered the match with confidence. However, this contest was always expected to provide a sterner examination, and it quickly became clear that Borussia Dortmund, unbeaten so far this season, were well prepared for a demanding evening. Both sides tested each other in the early exchanges with fast and incisive play, signalling that the contest would be far from cautious. ............

 

Juventus began brightly, urged on by their supporters, but their inability to convert chances in the first half became a growing concern. ............

 

Early in the second half, Karim Adeyemi opened the scoring with a composed finish, punishing Juventus for their missed opportunities. The response, however, was swift, as Kenan Yildiz equalised just 11 minutes later. Any momentum gained by Juventus was quickly disrupted when Borussia Dortmund reclaimed the lead within a minute, capitalising on a lapse in concentration from the home side. ............

 

The fixture developed into a goal fest, as Dusan Vlahovic struck to level at 2-2, keeping Juventus firmly in the contest. Encouraged by their equaliser, Juventus sought to press for victory, but that ambition backfired when Yan Couto and Ramy Bensebaini, from the penalty spot, extended Borussia Dortmund’s advantage.

 

At that stage, Juventus appeared vulnerable, but changes from the bench reinvigorated the side. While Edon Zhegrova was introduced to add fresh impetus, it was Vlahovic who delivered again, producing a superb volley to narrow the deficit deep into added time. Remarkably, Juventus were not finished, and Lloyd Kelly struck another goal shortly afterwards to secure a dramatic 4-4 draw. ............

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/juventus-salvage-late-draw-in-4-4-thriller-against-dortmund/

 

Modificato 21 ore fa da Socrates

[Socrates 9092]

Player ratings: Juventus 4-4 Dortmund – Vlahovic and Yildiz shine in thriller draw

 

 

Juventus claimed a point in the most incredible of circumstances in the first match of their Champions League campaign, which ended level at 4-4 with Borussia Dortmund in a game that had been deadlocked at 0-0 until the 52nd minute.

 

After a relatively quiet first half, Juventus-Dortmund sprung into life in the second period, with eight goals in the space of 40 minutes, four of them went in within the space of 12 minutes.

 

In the end, there were seven different goalscorers in Karim Adeyemi, Kenan Yildiz, Felix Nmecha, Dusan Vlahovic (x2), Yan Couto, Remy Bensebaini and Lloyd Kelly. ............

Juventus player ratings

Di Gregorio 5.5 – A massive save on Guirassy to keep the scores at 1-0 55 minutes in. Still, will have hoped to have conceded fewer than four tonight.

Kalulu 5 –  ............

Bremer 5 – A touch on the rusty side in his first Champions League match since rupturing his ACL against RB Leipzig last October. A heavy touch here and there in the first half and a bit too slow to close down Adeyemi before his goal.

Kelly 6 – A handful in the opposition area, but should have done better for Adeyemi’s opener, and then gave away a penalty for a slightly unfortunate handball. All forgiven for the crazy, last-moment equaliser in injury-time.

 

McKennie 6 –  ............  (Joao Mario 6 –  ............)

Koopmeiners 5.5 –  ............ (Adzic 6 – Didn’t quite find the magic moment as he did in the Derby d’Italia on Saturday)

Thuram 6 – Brought the best out of Kobel after four minutes with a (deflected) strike that was destined for the top corner. Largely positive on the ball.

Cambiaso 6.5 –  ............

David 5 – Dropped back into one of the supporting attacking roles alongside Yildiz to accommodate Openda up front, it looked like the chemistry between the trio hadn’t quite clicked before the Canadian’s substitution. (Vlahovic 9 – He looks an entirely different player this season. Four goals off the bench from three substitute appearances across all competitions this term, the assist for Kelly arguably his best moment of the season so far, though.)

Yildiz 7.5 – Consistently Juventus’s most threatening attacker on the night. He looked dangerous even when Juve weren’t attacking to the best of their abilities, then found the net with yet another beauty from the edge of the area. Del Piero-esque. (Zhegrova n/a).

Openda 6 –  ............ (Locatelli 6.5)

Coach: Igor Tudor 7 – Juventus were bright in the opening stages, but aside from that, it took them going 1-0 behind before they started attacking with any real intent. Made all the right substitutions, though. His side refused to give up. A truly crazy second half of football.

Dortmund ratings 

Kobel 6.5; Ryerson 6, Anton 5, Bensebeini 7; Couto 7; Sabitzer 6, Nmecha 7, Svensson 6; Adeyemi 7.5, Beier 6; Guirassy 6.5.

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Read more -> https://football-italia.net/player-ratings-juventus-4-4-borussia-dortmund/

[Socrates 9092]

Tudor: ‘Juventus cannot carry on like this’ after 4-4 chaos

 

 

Igor Tudor admits Juventus ‘cannot carry on like this’ after following the 4-3 win over Inter with a 4-4 draw against Borussia Dortmund. ‘There were players who were exhausted.’

 

It was another frankly wild match for the Old Lady, just days after the 4-3 comeback thriller to beat Inter in the Derby d’Italia here in Serie A on Saturday evening.

 

This was not dissimilar in the Champions League, the Bianconeri this time coming from 4-2 down at the 86^th minute to score twice in stoppages with substitute Dusan Vlahovic and Lloyd Kelly. ............

 

“I’ve already had enough of this type of match,” laughed Tudor.

 

“We are conceding too many, at least we’re scoring a lot too, but we cannot carry on like this. It was so difficult in the second half to keep the energy levels up three days after an incredibly tough match, whereas Borussia Dortmund you could tell had a really easy game at the weekend. ............

 

“We conceded the goals too cheaply, they were avoidable situations. In the end, individual quality is decisive in football, like the Kenan Yildiz goal that came out of nowhere.” ............

 

“I honestly think we couldn’t have done more tonight, so I’m happy with that.” ............

 

“I said before kick-off that when you play every three days and have five substitutions, there are no first choice players, everyone is important. Games tend to be decided in the final stages, so the substitutes become crucial,” noted Tudor.

 

“This is not just a cliché, all four games changed with the substitutes. The problem was that we played on Saturday that epic match against Inter, then today this, there were players who were exhausted. Kenan was white as a sheet, poor thing, Khephren was exhausted too.

 

“There was nothing I could do in training with such a small gap between games, but this is the schedule. At this moment, it was the maximum we could do.” ............

 

“If there are four days between games, it’s easier, but with three you need to rotate. It was only right that Dusan played that game, then Openda and David arrived, they are both important players. When there are five changes, it becomes tougher for a coach, sometimes you get it right and sometimes you don’t.

 

“This is why I keep telling the players that they are all involved, they can all be decisive, whether they start the match or not.” ............

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Read more -> https://football-italia.net/tudor-juventus-cannot-carry-on-like-this-4-4/

 

Modificato 21 ore fa da Socrates

[Socrates 9092]

Vlahovic: ’99 per cent of what was said is not true, I am at the disposal of Juventus’

 

 

Dusan Vlahovic admits it has ‘not been an easy time’ after a summer of controversy and chaos, but assures he is ‘ready when called upon’ by Juventus in a 4-4 thriller with Borussia Dortmund. ............

 

They struck twice in stoppages with Vlahovic scoring one and assisting the Lloyd Kelly diving header for a 4-4 thriller. ............

 

“Experience will help, as we are a young team,” Vlahovic said.

 

“However, we need to play better, to read the games better and not keep conceding so many goals, especially straight after we score every time. It keeps happening.

 

“We won a few days ago, we drew this time, but we can learn a lot and the important thing is that we didn’t lose.” ............

 

“It is up to the coach to choose who plays, I work hard every day in training and am ready to do what I am asked, I am at the disposal of the team. I’ve been a starter for most of my career and have always scored goals. Nowadays with five substitutions, those who come off the bench are increasingly important.

 

“Of course everyone loves to start, but I respect the choices of the coach and try to deliver when called upon.” ............

 

“It has not been an easy time for me, there was talk every day, many things that I can say now 99 per cent of which was nowhere close to reality. That can disturb a person, but I found strength in this and every day you must prove yourself, to always be hungry. I am never satisfied, so today I scored two goals and provided an assist, but I wanted a third,” continued Vlahovic.

 

“The expectations are always high for myself and that pushes me on. I play for a marvellous team. ............

 

“Naturally, there is criticism when a striker doesn’t score goals. I used to struggle more with that when I was younger, but I am maturing and improving, I’m learning to deal with that better and believe I can continue to improve. I have to train harder than anyone and be ready when called upon.”

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Read more -> https://football-italia.net/vlahovic-99-per-cent-of-what-was-said-not-true/

[Socrates 9092]

Kenan Yildiz and Del Piero discuss ‘unstoppable’ goal technique

 

 

Kenan Yildiz and Alex Del Piero discussed the technique of scoring sensational curlers into the top corner for Juventus against Borussia Dortmund. ‘This is what makes it unique.’ ............

 

Yildiz curled in the sensational first equaliser for 1-1, then provided the assist for Dusan Vlahovic, who went on to score another before a last-gasp Lloyd Kelly diving header. ............

 

It did not go unnoticed that the Number 10 scored a right-foot curler from the edge of the area into the far top corner, precisely like his hero Alessandro Del Piero did against Borussia Dortmund in September 1995. ............

 

“I thought his was a bit better,” said Yildiz when shown the footage of the two goals side by side.

 

“It was an instinctive finish, because I got the ball and saw a space was free where I could aim. Then it went in slow motion into the net. I am happy to have scored such a lovely goal, and to have helped the team.” ............

 

Del Piero talked the others through the technique of a goal that became known as ‘Alla Del Piero’ precisely because it was his motif.

 

“When the ball goes out and comes back in, not just from right to left, but also from up to down. That is when it becomes unstoppable for the goalkeeper, that double effort of the change of trajectory is what makes it unique,” said the Juventus legend. ............

 

“In the Club World Cup, I felt really good with the team and the coach. We had started the season well, I am happy to help the team, I always want to do the best for my side. I’m also a little tired now…” Yildiz concluded.

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Read more -> https://football-italia.net/kenan-yildiz-del-piero-on-unstoppable-goal/

[Socrates 9092]

Bremer: ‘Juventus mentality is strong, but cannot concede this many goals’

 

 

Gleison Bremer is impressed with the mentality of Juventus after a 4-4 draw with Borussia Dortmund, but warns ‘we cannot keep conceding this many goals.’ ............

 

“We have to take home this mentality, but we also cannot keep conceding this many goals, we let in seven in two games,” confessed Bremer.

 

It was goalless at half-time, which made the chaotic second half all the more remarkable at the Allianz Juventus Stadium in Turin.

 

“We’ve got to have more balance in the second half. Fatigue can happen, but we cannot keep leaking goals like that, we’re lucky that we managed to equalise at the end.” ............

 

 

It was put to Bremer that Vlahovic has been crucial this season, especially when coming off the bench as a super-sub. ............

 

“Vlahovic is a great player, we know he gives the team a hand every time he plays,” noted the Brazilian defender.

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Read more -> https://football-italia.net/bremer-juventus-mentality-is-strong-many-goals/

[Socrates 9092]

Juventus 4 - Borussia Dortmund 4: Initial reaction and random observations

 

 ............

 

All of three days after Juventus won a seven-goal thriller in the Derby d’Italia, they took things one or two steps further in their Champions League opener on Tuesday night.

 

A scoreless game at the half against Borussia Dortmund turned into an absolute whirlwind after the break. Juventus fell behind on three separate occasions in what proved to be a second half in which all eight goals were scored. Once it was 4-2 in favor of Dortmund, it looked like that would be that and Juventus were headed toward their first loss of the season. Instead, Dusan Vlahovic played the role of super sub, scoring twice and assisting on Lloyd Kelly’s game-tying goal in the 96th minute that allowed Juve to get a point with a 4-4 draw against Dortmund just when it looked like a loss was a mere certainty.

 

I don’t know how they did it, but they did it.

 

They actually did come back and get a point after Ramy Bensebaini put Dortmund up by two goals with four minutes to go before second-half stoppage time after a penalty was called on — you guessed it — Kelly and the ball hitting his arm on his attempt to block a shot. ............

 

Maybe we can simply boil it down to this: This is a draw that feels like a win mainly because it was looking so much like a loss before Vlahovic pulled Juve within a goal two minutes before Kelly’s header to tie it all up.

 

In the grand scheme of it, you probably aren’t wrong to say that Juventus didn’t deserve a point for their overall level of play on Tuesday night. Some of the mistakes they made on the Dortmund goals were pretty bad — and that might be the kind way to say it. Whether it’s allowing Dortmund to go right back ahead after Kenan Yildiz tied it up with his latest stunner, Khephren Thuram turning the ball over in the final third and Dortmund taking full advantage or Michele Di Gregorio having a pretty forgettable night in goal, this was not a good night for a decent number of Juve players. ............

 

It’s not so much organized chaos that they’ve embraced the last four days, but it sure is nice to see them fight back and get the win over Inter and steal a point away from Dortmund when the German side was likely thinking they had three points in the entering stoppage time. Is the fact that Juve’s allowed seven goals in the last two games anything but totally concerning? Of course not. But time will only prove that if this is a couple of simply stupid occurrences or a worrying trend that is starting to develop. ............

 

Despite all of that, this Juventus team is showing it has some spirit to it. They’re showing that they have some fight. They may be allowing many more goals or even long-range shots than anybody around here would like, but they’re fighting back when they’re up against the wall. That’s something we couldn’t say at many points of last season. ............

 

 

RANDOM THOUGHTS AND OBSERVATIONS

• This new third kit from Juventus — prima classe!! ............
• A goal in the Derby d’Italia. Now a last-second Champions League goal to tie it up when it looked like Juventus were going to lose. Is Lloyd Kelly suddenly becoming a fan favorite? There’s worse ways to go about all of this!
• I surely was amongst the hundreds of thousands of people screaming at the TV during the VAR check on Kelly’s goal, right? If VAR had taken that away, it would have been so incredibly cruel.
• Is Dusan Vlahovic BACK?!?! IS HE?!?! It’s worth discussing.
• But seriously, though … Vlahovic got a lot of stick from a lot of people over the last few months as it looked like he was essentially staying in Turin to cash that Serie A-high paycheck and that’s that. But for him to start the season this kind of way, to become a huge part of Juventus’ early-season success — off the bench no less! — and to be what feels like extremely professional about it, that’s a sign of hopefully more good things to come. ............
• Yildiz is just absurd. It’s so fun to have him as a Juventus player. And he is only getting better and scoring crazier goals with every passing game. This boy good — really, really good.
• And you know what? If not for a completely insane save from Gregor Kobel, Yildiz could have had two absolute stunners. That’s to go with his stunner from over the weekend. All he does is provide highlight-reel quality goals. Not bad.
• Whatever transfer rumor that will come out of this game linking with Yildiz with a move to the Premier League, just go ahead and add another €100 million onto it. That’s reasonable, right? ............
• Manuel Locatelli came on in the 71st minute and ended up being one of Juve’s highest rated players on Sofascore. Seems like maybe that move should have happened a little earlier.
• I was not expecting Edon Zhegrova to play against Dortmund. It was a very brief cameo when Juve were in total desperation mode, but he is going to be so fun to watch when he gets full match fitness.
• Loïs Openda didn’t have a great game in his full Juve debut, but you can definitely see some good things from him that should only improve with time and rapport with his teammates. ............
• I’ll leave you with this: Juventus once played Hamburg in the Champions League back in 2000. The final score ended up being 4-4. One of Juve’s goal scorers? A defender wearing bianconero by the name of Igor Tudor. ............

Read more -> https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/previews-reviews/32229/juventus-borussia-dortmund-2025-champions-league-league-phase-final-score-result-initial-reaction-random-observations