JUVENTUS SEASON 2024-2025

[Socrates 8445]

Guardiola: ‘The future belongs to Juventus’

 

Pep Guardiola congratulates Juventus, says the ‘future belongs’ to the Old Lady, but insists the playing style will ‘save’ Manchester City in this tough moment.

 

Juventus secured a 2-0 win over Guardiola’s City in Turin this evening. 

 

Guardiola said in the past that meeting Atalanta was like going to the dentist. Does he feel the same way tonight?

 

“It’s different. Juventus are a top team, they have always been. I congratulate them, and the future belongs to them,” the Spaniard said at a post-match press conference. ............

 

“I tried to find the way, but the game was there. Results give a good boost; today, we conceded fewer chances compared to Premier League games, but in the end, we needed the last moment. We missed it, but we are going to insist.

 

“We have to accept it, we have to insist, insist, insist. I think we played with the right tempo, we were so close in the final moment.” ............

 

“You think players don’t want to score? There are opponents, there are defenders, and they did great. Congratulations to them. We play this way, and it’s the same way that has brought us to do great things in England and worldwide. ............ 

 

Lastly, Guardiola denied that he was close to becoming the Juventus coach in 2019.

 

“No, I was never close,” he concluded.

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Read more -> https://football-italia.net/guardiola-future-belongs-to-juventus/

[Socrates 8445]

Juventus 2 - Manchester City 0: Initial reaction and random observations

 

The run of draws is over. The talk of nothing but draws is over.

 

All of it — over.

 

That is because Juventus, when they desperately needed a win to start to try and turn the tide amidst a run of nothing but draws, showed the hell up. And against a team with all the hardware (and money) in the world sitting back in England, Juventus and their first-year manager showed that they can get it done on the big stage when it’s needed.

 

Sure, Manchester City are currently not the same Manchester City that resembles the four-time Premier League-winning side of the past half-decade, but Wednesday night’s 2-0 win over the English giants showed us what things can look like when Thiago Motta puts out a plan, his team executes it to near perfection and everything plays out just as well as you could have hoped. This was Juventus hitting City on the break, making them pay for it with second-half goals from Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie within the span of 12 minutes, and getting three oh-so-valuable points in the Champions League’s new league phase. ............

 

Juventus battled. They showed about as much heart as we’ve seen from them this season — especially when it came to how they defended. They worked together. They limited the same kind of game-changing mistakes we’ve seen over the course of their run of draws. When City pushed for a goal more and more both before and after Vlahovic’s opener that just got across the line, Juventus defended like a bunch of tenacious madmen who knew that such an important victory was there for the taking.

 

And most important of all, they took advantage of the best scoring chances that came their way against a Manchester City side that proved to be susceptible on the counterattack. ............

 

Juventus needed a night like this one, and they went out and got it. Time will tell if this ends up being the turning point for Motta and his squad, but it’s been a while since Juventus got a truly big win in the Champions League in front of the hometown crowd.

 

They certainly deserve it. Juventus and Motta just got a signature win and it feels damn good to see after so many freaking draws over the last couple of months.

RANDOM THOUGHTS AND OBSERVATIONS

 ............ 

• Dec. 8, 2020: Weston McKennie scores a scissor kick against Barcelona in the Champions League.
• Dec. 11, 2024: Weston McKennie scores a scissor kick against Manchester City in the Champions League. ............ 
• Manchester City possession through 18 minutes: 72%.
• Manchester City possession through 30 minutes: 67%.
• Manchester City possession through the first half: 65%.
• Manchester City possession at the final whistle: 69%.
• Juventus won, though. That’s nice.
• With all that possession in the first half, the total number of shots created by both teams was even at 3-3. ............ 
• Despite having just 31% possession, Juventus finished with nearly as many shots as City while having a 5-3 advantage in shots on goal. How about that?!
• Boy oh boy was Michele Di Gregorio’s first save of the night a good one. Erling Haaland had to think he had one, but the left hand of Di Gregorio absolutely stoned him.
• His second save was a pretty dang good one, too. ............ 
• Locatelli had 12 defensive actions. Nobody else in the game had more than seven.
• I know I’ve already mentioned Danilo, but his performance deserves another mention because I was very worried about how he would do at left back. Well, he did quite well and held his own in the first half when City were certainly attacking down the right wing a lot of the time.
• Nicolo Savona can stay. Another solid Champions League performance from a kid who was playing in Serie C last season.
• On a few occasions Francisco Conceição was basically triple-teamed by the entire left side of Manchester City’s lineup. You know, just in case you’re wondering just how dangerous opposing teams have come to think how dangerous our new favorite Portuguese winger is. ............ 

Read more -> https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2024/12/12/24319042/juventus-manchester-city-2024-champions-league-final-score-resultinitial-reaction-observations

[Socrates 8445]

Champions League: Juventus beat Man City, Barcelona into knockout stage

 

Manchester City are facing elimination from the Champions League after a seventh defeat in 10 games. They lost 2-0 to Juventus on Wednesday.

 

Manchester City's crisis continued with a 2-0 defeat away to Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday, while Pep Guardiola's old club Barcelona beat Borussia Dortmund to clinch a spot in the knockout stage of Europe's elite club competition.

 

Arsenal, AC Milan, Atletico Madrid, Lille, Feyenoord and Stuttgart were also victorious, but City's latest loss in a miserable run will dominate the headlines.

 

The 2023 European champions succumbed in Turin as Dusan Vlahovic put Juventus ahead early in the second half when goalkeeper Ederson was unable to keep out his header.

 

Ilkay Gundogan was denied an equaliser by a fine Michele Di Gregorio save, before Weston McKennie made it 2-0 with a fine acrobatic finish in the 75th minute.

 

The result leaves Juventus on 11 points with two games left, a tally that is expected to be enough to guarantee them at least a place in the knockout phase play-offs. ............

 

With just eight points, City currently sit 22nd in the standings, in which the top 24 advance to the knockouts. Their next game will be crucial, as they travel to a Paris Saint-Germain side who sit a point beneath Guardiola's men. ............

 

Read more -> https://uk.news.yahoo.com/juve-deepen-man-city-crisis-231715706.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9jLm5ld3Nub3cuY28udWsv&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAK1Sa5ofKk9jU1diQP5oeDzpXD-2kHEok5gjhAcL91mSqV--Thu2ssHLIgt6z0d3vJzG_6IKwSGV7QThpXM6YpinJ4FcnHb7STy2QBIEazm2Gv6lbkRvgY1OZBUprbIZ22FFscfTIkC1C815rYynuLbtEkye2KK3TEPNUU8tCBC7

[Socrates 8445]

Juventus play their best game of the season to send Manchester City home a loser

Juve completely defanged the struggling Citizens and claimed a vital Champions League win.

 ............

 

City were struggling coming in, that’s for sure. They’d lost six of their last nine games, many of which hadn’t been particularly close. But they were still the club that employs the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland, and Bernardo Silva. They have the quality to right themselves in a second, and were clearly the most dangerous team Juve had remaining on the schedule before Christmas.

 

And Juventus did beat them.

 

It wasn’t a white-knuckled corto muso win that require mainlining beta blockers to watch. The Bianconeri were solid from the outset, allowing City the possession they crave, but prevented them from creating significant danger. As they grew into the game, they showed the ability to pass their way out of the press in a way that was completely absent against Bologna at the weekend.

 

Juve went into the locker room clearly believing that they could go and take this game, and in the second half, they did just that. A header by Dusan Vlahovic and a historic strike from the club’s American tandem provided the margin, while Juve’s defense held fast, never really making it feel like they were ever in any trouble. ............

 

What it means in the present is that Juventus have catapulted themselves up eight places in the Champions League standings and have given themselves a signature European win. A win that, unlike the bonkers comeback in Leipzig, came about because the game plan was executed to perfection from the first whistle to the last. This was what Thiago Motta’s Juventus is supposed to look like — perhaps a little bit more defensive than usual given their opponent, but there nonetheless.

 

Motta got Weston McKennie and Douglas Luiz back from injury, but was missing Andrea Cambiaso, Nico Gonzalez, and Arkadiusz Milik. His 4-2-3-1 was anchored in goal by Michele Di Gregorio. Nicolò Savona, Federico Gatti, Pierre Kalulu, and Danilo fanned out in front of him. Manuel Locatelli and Khephren Thuram formed the double pivot, with Francisco Conceição, Teun Koopmeiners, and Kenan Yildiz supported Vlahovic in attack. ............ 

 

Five minutes from time City finally produced the moment that all their quality can produce in a flash. Unsurprisingly, it was De Bruyne and Haaland who combined to make the magic. The Belgian slipped a pass through a corridor between three players, while the big striker snuck behind Kalulu and latched on. It looked like a vintage connection between the two—only Di Gregorio had something to say about it. He charged out to meet Haaland but checked himself from going after the ball at his feet at the last second and instead moved to make himself big. It was the right choice, and he managed to get his left hand to the ball, not simply parrying it but propelling it a few yards, putting the rebound safely into space for Savona to gather it. ............ 

 

 

It was Gatti who started the move by gaining the ball in midfield, and he continued on to join the attack after pushing the ball forward. Conceição had to drop the ball back to Locatelli, who sent in an early cross that found Gatti at the penalty spot, where he performed an excellent scissor kick that was unfortunately straight at Ederson. But the Brazil international chose to parry the ball back into danger instead of trying to collect it, which forced Gvardiol to push it into empty space on the left wing to prevent him from pouncing on his rebound. Of course, that only put the ball into empty space for Yildiz. The teenager collected it and quickly sent a perfect ball to the back post for Vlahovic, who beat Gvardiol in the air and fired a bullet header that hit Ederson in the chest and then bounced over the line just before he was able to claw it away. French referee Clement Turpin quickly blew his whistle to signal that the goal-line tech had registered the goal, and with that, Juve were in front. ............ 

 

 

It looked like the team was starting to flag, and Motta immediately sent some fresh legs on in the form of his American tandem, McKennie and Timothy Weah. It took a little more than five minutes for their influence to be felt in a big way.

The whole sequence was textbook. Danilo made one hell of a stonewall tackle on Doku, exchanged passes with Yildiz, then sent McKennie into a huge swath of green down the middle of the field. McKennie immediately found his teammate with a good ball over the top. Weah was originally frustrated when his first cross was blocked, but he stayed with it and spotted McKennie — or probably heard him, as he was screaming for it as he entered the box. He met the cross with a scissor kick that blasted its way through Ederson’s hands and into the net, effectively ending the game with 15 minutes left. ............ 

 

 

LE PAGELLE

MICHELE DI GREGORIO - 8. Two top-shelf saves kept Juve in position to run out winners, and his ball playing abilities were essential in getting through the press. It shows just why he’s that much better than Mattia Perin, especially with the ball at his feet.

NICOLÒ SAVONA - 7. Credited with four tackles and three clearances, he made 95.7 percent of his passes — critical against this press. He’s had some baptisms by fire this year, and this was maybe his biggest, but he’s been up to the challenge in every one of them. What a player we have on our hands.

FEDERICO GATTI - 8. The neutralization of Haaland — one of the best No. 9s you will see in this sport — was something of a team effort, but Gatti was absolutely everywhere in the back against Manchester City, equally adept at rushing forward to join the attack and when not to bad, we should win.

PIERRE KALULU - 6.5. A little bit less than Gatti, just in terms of the day the two of themselves if you Lyft. Kalulu did his part in limiting Haaland to just 18 touches the entire game.

DANILO - 7.5. Looked a little shaky going into the game, but grew into his as the game went along, and by the end of the night he was completely stonewalling any City attacker that dared challenge him. In the end, he was credited with six tackles, and his passing was a key component of the second goal.

KHEPHREN THURAM - 5.5.  ............ 

MANUEL LOCATELLI - 8. After his stinker over the weekend, Loca was at his absolute best this time around. Defensively he combined for six tackles and four clearances, and he also blocked a pair of shots. On the other end his passing made the team tick when it was in possession, racking up a pair of key passes.

FRANCISCO CONCEIÇAÓ - 5.5.  ............ 

TEUN KOOPMEINERS - 6. Did a lot more in the defensive phase than he did attacking. He registered three tackles and really helped keep Gündogan quiet in midfield.

KENAN YILDIZ - 7. Dangerous whenever he got onto the ball. Provided a peach of an assist for Vlahovic’s goal and went ever so close to scoring their first goal with that great shot in the first half.

DUSAN VLAHOVIC - 7. Did a lot of good things with his movement, and obviously the goal was excellent. Deserved that after some of his injury.

SUBS

WESTON McKENNIE - 7.5. What an absolutely sparkling goal, reminiscent of that signature win at Camp Nou for Andrea Pirlo four years ago.

TIMOTHY WEAH - 7. Was great when he came on and injected his ball to Weston was feathery.

SAMUEL MBANGULA - NR.  ............ 

DOUGLAS LUIZ - NR.  ............ 

MANAGER ANALYSIS

I admit, I thought Juventus could — indeed would — win the game by using their physical edge in midfield to take more possession, expecting big things out of the young Portuguese. That didn’t really happen; Juve defended well and countered clinically to get themselves their all the way up to 14th in the standings. Clearly Motta knew what he was going to do, and he did how he was going to do.

 

 

Most everything that Motta did wrong over the weekend against Bologna he did right here. Di Gregorio proved just how vital he is against the press, and Motta’s vaunted passing game poked its head out as the game went on and Juve began to play out of the press with much more frequency. ............ 

 

Now the question is what Juve does with it from here. Will they be able to turn this into a run that gets the season back on track? Only time will tell. ............ 

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Read more -> https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2024/12/12/24319152/juventus-manchester-city-2024-champions-league-final-score-result-match-recap-analysis-thiago-motta

[Socrates 8445]

“Lucky to have such players” – Motta delighted with Juventus display against Man City

 

Juventus coach Thiago Motta was left ecstatic by his players who produced a clinical performance against Manchester City.

 

The Bianconeri were in dire need of a victory to a improve their status in the Champions League group stage, and they managed to pull it off at the expense of the free-falling Premier League champions. ............

 

After a goalless first half, Dusan Vlahovic broke the deadlock that a header what just went past the goalline, while Weston McKennie came off the bench to confirm the victory with a second goal.

 

Therefore, Motta was thrilled with his men’s display, insisting that he and his staff are lucky to have such a quality squad at their disposal.

 

“Tonight we had to do a lot of things well, especially with regards to compactness and concentration. We defended well, without conceding space, and struck at key moments,” said the 42-year-old in his post-match interviews as published by the official Juventus website.

 

“It was a great performance from everyone, even those who came on later in the game, they contributed when called upon. McKennie, for example, had a great game: he has a unique mix of physical and technical qualities that allow him to be dangerous in the final third.

 

 

“We’re fortunate to have players like that. This was a great night, but every game is different. In Leipzig, for example, the approach had to be different because of the type of opponent. Today we were compact in defence and dangerous on the counter-attack, but always played with quality.” ............

 

“The feelings we experienced tonight are speical, and these are moments that remind us why we do this job. When the time comes, we will evaluate where we can improve.

 

“It is important that there is harmony between everyone and that we continue to follow the same philosophy. Right now, though, we have to stay focused: we will face Venezia this weekend and we have to maintain this level.”

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/lucky-to-have-such-players-motta-delighted-with-juventus-display-against-man-city/

[Socrates 8445]

Today’s Papers: Juventus teach City and Guardiola a lesson.

 

Gran Signora 

Champions League: Juve teach City and Guardiola a lesson 

Vlahovic-McKennie launch Motta: Direct qualification for the round of 16 still possible. ............

 

 

Like the real Juve 

Superchampions: The Bianconeri triumph against Guardiola (2-0)

Motta trumps Pep: Vlahovic and McKennie take down City 

Defence and counter-attack: The perfect match. The Serbian and the American make their mark in the second half. Thiago makes it 11: Bruges and Benfica next. Seventh defeat in 10 games for the English. ............

 

 

Fabulous

2-0: Vlahovic and McKennie crush phenomena City: Caught up with Atalanta: Juve two points away from Round of 16. 

Finally a great night. Thiago wins the actical battle against Pep, always pressing well and lethal counter-attacks. Di Gregorio stops Haaland and Gundogan. Motta: ‘Now it’s going well, Wes can do everything, I’m proud’. ............

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Read more -> https://football-italia.net/today-papers-juventus-city-lesson-fonseca-fury/

[Socrates 8445]

Di Gregorio admits: ‘I don’t know how I pulled off’ incredible Haaland save

 

Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio admitted ‘I honestly don’t know how I pulled off that save’ after keeping Manchester City’s Erling Haaland out while one-on-one during the entertaining 2-0 Bianconeri victory in the Champions League on Wednesday night. 

 

Di Gregorio is one of several Juve players who have been heavily praised for their performance in the Man City win. The former Monza stopper pulled out two particularly impressive saves, but his strong palm to deny Haaland in the penalty area was one of the moments of the match. ............

 

“I’m happy because it’s every kid’s dream to play in the Champions League. And then, against a team like City, it was really exciting: The stadium, the atmosphere, everything. I’m really happy.”

 

Juventus have now kept 12 clean sheets in their last 21 matches in all competitions and are now 14th place in the Champions League standings. ............

 

The Old Lady will be back in Champions League action in January, when they have two remaining league phase matches against Club Brugge and Benfica. 

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Read more -> https://football-italia.net/di-gregorio-dont-know-haaland-save-v-juventus/

[Socrates 8445]

“This is a great success for Juventus” – Arrigo Sacchi on the team’s resurgence

 

Juventus’ recent victory over Manchester City in the Champions League has sparked optimism and renewed confidence in Turin. The 2-0 triumph, achieved through second-half goals by Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie, is a significant milestone for the team under the guidance of coach Thiago Motta. Former Italian coach Arrigo Sacchi shared his insights. ............

 

“This is a great success for Juventus,” he noted. “It’s one of those victories that boosts courage and self-esteem—essential fuels for tackling the rest of the season.” Despite Manchester City’s current struggles, Sacchi emphasized that defeating such a formidable opponent is a testament to Juventus’ growing strength. ............

 

“It seems that, little by little, Thiago Motta’s ideas are entering the players’ minds,” he said. The team’s collective effort, including defenders contributing to offensive plays, was particularly noteworthy. This victory, however, is only the first step in a long journey. Sacchi urged caution: “The 2-0 win over City is just the beginning of a very long path.”

 

Dusan Vlahovic, who has faced criticism recently, was pivotal in this match. Sacchi acknowledged his impact: “Vlahovic often troubled the English defense.” His performance exemplified the team’s overall improvement and adherence to Motta’s strategies. ............

In conclusion, Sacchi expressed optimism about Juventus’ project under Thiago Motta but stressed patience and humility as key factors for future success. “Thiago arrived at Juventus only last summer; let’s give him time to show all his qualities,” he urged. As both Juventus and Milan progress in Europe, their performances will be closely watched by fans and critics alike.

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Read more -> https://www.footitalia.com/this-is-a-great-success-for-juventus-arrigo-sacchi-on-the-teams-resurgence/

[Socrates 8445]

Thiago Motta gets more fitness good news ahead of the Venezia game

 

Juventus is set to face Venezia in Serie A this weekend, following their impressive midweek victory over Manchester City in the Champions League. That triumph not only showcased Juve’s quality but also set the tone for a potentially strong run of results. Fans are optimistic that the team will build on their European success and secure a convincing win against their domestic opponents. ............

 

One player who could bolster Juventus’ lineup is Andrea Cambiaso. The full-back, who missed the match against Manchester City due to an injury picked up last weekend, is likely to return to the squad for the clash against Venezia. Cambiaso’s availability would be a welcome boost for manager Thiago Motta, as his presence adds depth and stability to the defensive unit.

 

The improving fitness of several key players has been a positive development for Juventus, enhancing their overall performance. With a stronger squad at his disposal, Motta will be expected to guide the team to consistent results in both domestic and European competitions. ............

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/thiago-motta-gets-more-fitness-good-news-ahead-of-the-venezia-game/

[Socrates 8445]

Juventus 2-0 Man City: Fabio Capello slams "arrogant" Pep Guardiola following one win in 10 games

 

Managerial legend Fabio Capello has hit out publicly at Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, claiming the Spaniard is "arrogant".

Man City were beaten 2-0 away in Turin to Capello's former club Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday, with second-half goals coming from Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie.

 

That extended City's recent form to just one win in 10 games, in which time they have taken only one point from three matches in the Champions League. ............

 

Working on the Juventus-Man City clash for Sky Sport Italia, Capello was scathing in his criticisms of Guardiola, even harking back to times before their current dismal run.

 

The former AC Milan and Real Madrid boss claimed that the City manager only thinks about his own standing, and prioritises that over the benefit of the team as a whole.

 

"Guardiola is a great coach, but he is far too arrogant and presumptuous," Capello began.

 

"At times, he has even lost trophies because he wanted to prove that he was the one winning and not the players, so he dropped key figures from the side in the big games.

 

"That was, in my view, an attempt to take the spotlight and the credit away from his squad." ............

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Read more -> https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/man-city/champions-league/news/fabio-capello-slams-arrogant-pep-guardiola-after-juventus-defeat_560473.html?newsnow

[Socrates 8445]

Preview: Juventus vs. Venezia - prediction, team news, lineups

 

Fresh from success in Europe, Juventus will try to revive their Serie A title challenge on Saturday night, when they play host to rock-bottom Venezia.

 

Juve stunned Manchester City in the Champions League earlier this week, but a series of domestic draws have dented dreams of reclaiming the Scudetto.

 

---

Match preview

 ............

 

They may have shut out a sub-par Man City, but Thiago Motta's men have uncharacteristically conceded goals in both of their last two league fixtures - they have yet to go three without keeping a clean sheet since Motta took charge.

 

Under his watch, Juventus have faced the fewest shots and fewest shots on target per game in the Italian top flight, but they are not always fluent at the other end despite some lavish summer spending.

 

Occupying sixth place after fighting back to draw 2-2 with Bologna last weekend, the Bianconeri have now shared the spoils in nine of their first 15 Serie A matches - and they have not won so few games at this stage of a season since 2001.

 

Nonetheless, Juve are the only team still unbeaten, and they can claim to be in contention for three trophies as things stand; the third being the Coppa Italia, in which they will start their defence against Cagliari next week. ............

Team News

© Imago

 

Juventus have recently welcomed several players back from injury - Dusan Vlahovic, Weston McKennie, Nicolo Savona and Douglas Luiz all featured on Wednesday - but it remains to be seen whether Andrea Cambiaso can recover from an ankle sprain in time to face Venezia.

 

Nico Gonzalez is closing in on a return, but ACL victims Juan Cabal and Bremer will again join Arkadiusz Milik on the sidelines.

 

Three of the four youngest players to record multiple goals and assists in Serie A this season could be involved on Saturday, as Juve pair Kenan Yildiz and Samuel Mbangula - scorer of the Bianconeri's late leveller against Bologna - are set to feature at some stage. ............

Juventus possible starting lineup:
Di Gregorio; Savona, Kalulu, Gatti, Rouhi; Locatelli, Thuram; Conceicao, Koopmeiners, Yildiz; Vlahovic

 

Venezia possible starting lineup:
Stankovic; Idzes, Svoboda, Altare; Candela, Doumbia, Nicolussi Caviglia, Zampano; Busio, Oristanio; Pohjanpalo

 

We say: Juventus 3-0 Venezia

Full of confidence from their midweek feats, Juventus should steamroll a limited Venezia side that will struggle to avoid relegation.

The hosts often fail to convert one point into three, but with several players returning, they are surely set to record back-to-back wins.

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Read more -> https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/juventus/preview/preview-juventus-vs-venezia-prediction-team-news-lineups_560452.html

[Socrates 8445]

John Elkann thrilled by Juventus performance against Manchester City

 

 

Exor CEO John Elkann has expressed his joy following Juventus’ impressive victory over Manchester City in the Champions League earlier this week.

 

Going into the match, Juventus was struggling with poor form, and many fans were pessimistic about their chances of securing a win. ............

 

Despite the challenges, Juventus rose to the occasion, delivering a fearless performance that stunned the Premier League champions. The Bianconeri played with determination and took the game to their opponents, showcasing an aggressive and tactical approach under Thiago Motta. City struggled to counter Juve’s strategy on the night, and this tactical superiority was key to securing the victory.

 

The win has been widely celebrated as one of Juventus’ standout performances of the season. Elkann, clearly impressed, praised the team for their effort and resilience in such a high-stakes match. He commented: “Nice to see Juve playing to the best of their potential against one of the strongest teams in the world. Fun match and good goals, happy for McKennie.” ............

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/john-elkann-thrilled-by-juventus-performance-against-manchester-city/

[Socrates 8445]

Nicolas Gonzalez could make the bench against Venezia

 

 

Juventus has received a significant fitness boost ahead of their match against Venezia this weekend.

 

The Bianconeri have remained one of the standout teams in Serie A this season. Despite being plagued by injuries to several key players, they have managed to maintain an unbeaten record in domestic competitions. This resilience has kept them well-positioned to climb higher in the league standings if the teams above them begin to falter. ............

 

Nicolas Gonzalez is another player who could make his return to action. The report indicates that the attacker is fit enough to be included in the squad, at least as an option from the bench. Depending on the progress of the match, Motta might decide to introduce Gonzalez in the second half to provide an extra edge.

 

Juventus has sorely missed Gonzalez during the two months he has been sidelined due to injury. ............

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/nicolas-gonzalez-could-make-the-bench-against-venezia/

[Socrates 8445]

Juventus vs Venezia: Preview and Prediction

 

Juventus fans were craving for a big win and saw their side leave the pitch in a different mood than their last four games as they get set to host Venezia at the Allianz Stadium. The Bianconeri had drawn their last four games across all competitions, including last weekend’s meeting with Thiago Motta with his former side, Bologna.

 

Motta will have been satisfied seeing his side overcome a tricky UEFA Champions League tie against English champions Manchester City. Second-half goals from Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie proved enough to take all three points at the expense of Pep Guardiola’s side, as Juventus moved up in the standings to a healthier position than before.

 

Now, Motta will want to carry that momentum from midweek into the weekend, as Juventus are eager to climb up the Serie A standings. Currently, Motta’s men are seven points behind leaders Atalanta and four behind nearest rival Lazio, and a win is a must at the weekend as the Bianconeri host Venezia. ............

Team News & Tactics

Juventus

The midweek win over Manchester City saw Thiago Motta welcome back a few key stars that were missing from action recently. Those included midweek goalscorers Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie, while Douglas Luiz and Nicolo Savona also made their comebacks. Those returns boost the squad side ahead of a crucial period.

 

Nicolas Gonzalez is also closing in on a return from his injury. However, long-term absentees Juan Cabal, Gleison Bremer, and Arkadiusz Milik will not be available for the foreseeable future. In any case, Motta will have a strong enough lineup to select, although he will continue to retain most of those who featured in the midweek tie. Motta could carry on with the same back four, including Danilo at left-back, which worked against Manchester City.

 

In midfield, despite Luiz’s return, Manuel Locatelli and Khephren Thuram are the starters for now and will keep their places against Venezia. Similarly, Motta is unlikely to make any changes in the final third as Dusan Vlahovic will lead the line with the support coming from Teun Koopmeiners, Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceicao in the attacking areas.

 

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Savona, Gatti, Kalulu, Danilo; Locatelli, Thuram; Conceicao, Koopmeiners, Yildiz; Vlahovic

Venezia

 ............

 

Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Stankovic; Altare, Svoboda, Idzes; Zampano, Andersen, Caviglia, Ellertsson; Busio, Oristanio; Pohjanpalo

Key Stats

• Juventus are undefeated in their last 23 matches in Serie A.
• Juventus have won five of their last six matches against Venezia in all competitions.
• Venezia have conceded at least two goals in eight of their last ten matches in Serie A.
• Venezia have claimed the fewest points and hold the worst defensive record away from home.

Player to Watch

Dusan Vlahovic

 

The Serbian striker was on song against Manchester City during midweek and put in a commanding display to open the scoring for Juventus. He will be key going forward, as Thiago Motta hopes for the striker to hit top form from here on. ...........

Prediction

Juventus 2-0 Venezia

Venezia come into this clash under tremendous pressure to stay in touching distance of their other relegation rivals. They are three points behind the nearest team, meaning a win would help them in a big way, although the game against Juventus will be a tough ask for Eusebio Di Francesco to expect a win or even a draw.

 

Juventus are coming into this clash after a stellar win over Manchester City and will be confident of getting another win. Thiago Motta will have realised some of the mistakes from previous games, and he will look to make things comfortable and get the three points against Venezia while keeping a clean sheet.

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Read more -> https://thehardtackle.com/round-up/2024/12/14/juventus-vs-venezia-preview-and-prediction/

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[Socrates 8445]

[Socrates 8445]

Late Vlahovic penalty saves Juventus from embarrassing Venezia defeat

 

Juventus failed to win yet another Serie A game, salvaging a late draw thanks to a stoppage-time penalty in the match against Venezia.

Fresh off their impressive victory against Manchester City, Juventus entered the match as heavy favourites, with Venezia seemingly no match for the Bianconeri on paper.

 

As expected, Juventus started the game strongly, dictating the tempo and demonstrating their superiority over the visitors. It took just 19 minutes for Federico Gatti to break the deadlock with a fine header, giving Juventus a deserved early lead. ............

 

Juventus continued to dominate but failed to add to their lead before halftime, as Venezia grew into the game and began competing more effectively in key moments.

 

Early in the second half, Juventus thought they had doubled their advantage when Kenan Yildiz found the net. However, the goal was ruled out for a handball in the build-up, a decision that shifted momentum and boosted Venezia’s confidence.

 

That newfound belief paid off when Mikael Egill Ellertsson shocked the Allianz Stadium with a well-taken equaliser. The goal had been coming, as Juventus failed to put the game out of reach despite their earlier dominance.

 

Pushing for a winner, Juventus left themselves vulnerable at the back, and Venezia capitalised in stunning fashion. Jay Idzes scored to complete a dramatic turnaround for the visitors, leaving Juve fans in disbelief.

 

As the clock ticked into stoppage time, Juventus were handed a lifeline in the form of a penalty. In the third minute of added time, Dusan Vlahovic calmly converted from the spot, rescuing a point for the Bianconeri. ............

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/late-vlahovic-penalty-saves-juventus-from-embarrassing-venezia-defeat/

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Juventus player ratings v Venezia – Disappointing draw reflected in ratings

 

Michele di Gregorio – 5.5
Not his best performance. He failed to command his area effectively and looked shaky on the rare occasions Venezia attacked.

Nicolo Savona – 6.5
 ............

Federico Gatti – 7.5
Scored the opening goal and was generally composed in defence. However, he will feel disappointed that Juventus conceded twice.

Pierre Kalulu – 6.5
Not his best showing for Juve. He struggled at times against Venezia’s attack and was overly eager to push forward, leaving gaps at the back.

Danilo – 6.5
A quieter performance compared to his standout display against Manchester City. He could have done more to lead the team in preserving or extending their lead.

Khephren Thuram – 7.0
Another commanding performance in midfield. He showcased why he deserves to start regularly and came close to scoring.

Weston McKennie – 6.5
 ............

Timothy Weah – 6.5
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Teun Koopmeiners – 6.0
Still hasn’t lived up to expectations since joining Juventus. He should have contributed more to secure a second goal.

Kenan Yildiz – 7.0
Unlucky to have his goal ruled out, but he was lively throughout and a constant problem for Venezia’s defence.

Dusan Vlahovic – 7.0
Another strong performance from Vlahovic. He stepped up to confidently convert the penalty that rescued a point for Juventus.

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Substitutes

Douglas Luiz – 6.0
Brought on to add creativity but didn’t have the desired impact.

Francisco Conceição – 6.5
The brightest of Juventus’ substitutes. His energy and intent left many wishing he had started the match.

Nicolo Fagioli – 6.0
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Manuel Locatelli – N/A
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Nicolás González – N/A
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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/juventus-player-ratings-v-venezia-disappointing-draw-reflected-in-ratings/

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Jeers, insults & mockery – Vlahovic & Juventus fans embroiled in post-match squabble

 

Scoring the last-minute equalizer was hardly enough to shield Dusan Vlahovic and his teammates from a post-match scolding by the angry Curva Sud fans.

 

After beating Premier League champions Manchester City on Wednesday night, the Bianconeri looked like a different team when hosting Venezia on Saturday, resuming their habit of settling for draws against lowly opposition – the side that resides at the very bottom of the Serie A table in this case. ............

 

After the final whistle, the players headed to the Curva Sud to salute the fans as per custom, but the Ultras were in no mood to applaud the players. Instead, the Bianconeri were faced with loud jeers and whistles.

 

But while the rest of the squad stood their ground and took it all in, Vlahovic retaliated with an angry gesture, urging the fans to support the team rather than berate them. Obviously, the irritated Ultras were unlikely to take the Serbian’s demeanor kindly, so he received a wave of insults, while Danilo and other players tried to calm him down.

 

In the end, the striker left the pitch while mockingly raising the thumbs up. ............

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/jeers-insults-mockery-vlahovic-juventus-fans-embroiled-in-post-match-squabble/

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Thiago Motta tries to explain lackluster Juventus display, agrees with fans’ jeers

 

Juventus coach Thiago Motta offered some explanation for the team’s miserable showing against Venezia which culminated in their 10th draw of the season. ............

 

For his part, Motta was serving a touchline ban after getting himself sent off last weekend. But while his assistant Alexandre Hugeux was acting in his stead on the touchline, the Italian Brazilian appeared after the contest to chat with the journalists who inquired about the club’s lack of fluidity in the attacking phase.

 

“It’s definitely the most difficult thing [building attacks]. It takes more time to improve it,” said the 42-year-old in his post-match interview.

“There’s less space and less time, you have to do things at a different speed and a change the pace. We did well when we found space, tonight there wasn’t any and we saw the difficulty.” ............

 

 

“I think it’s normal, frustration exists on everyone’s part, first and foremost the players because they know perfectly well that we can do better. We need to stay united and together. The criticisms are right because we are not where we need to be.

 

“The public has the freedom to express feelings and emotions. Duna [Vlahovic] is the first who wants to change the situation, these are things that have already happened and that we hope can change in the future.

 

“The fans have the freedom to express their opinion. Dusan is a lad who wants to change the situation, the important thing is to stay united for the good of Juventus, that’s what we all want.”

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/thiago-motta-tries-to-explain-lackluster-juventus-display-agrees-with-fans-jeers/

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Italian newspapers player ratings for Juventus vs Venezia: Only Thuram spared

 

Although they remain unbeaten in Serie A, Juventus extended their miserable run to four draws in a row after failing to beat rock-bottom Venezia at home. ............

 

The only one to receive relatively solid grades is Khephren Thuram who made himself involved in both phases of the match. He also produced the assists for Gatti’s opener with a header towards the far post. ............

 

Corriere dello Sport
Di Gregorio 5
Savona 5
Gatti 6
Kalulu 6

 

Danilo 6
McKennie 5
Thuram 6.5
Weah 5
Koopmeiners 5
Yildiz 5.5
Vlahovic 6.5
Hugeux (Thiago Motta) 4
Nico Gonzalez N/A
Douglas Luiz 5.5
Conceicao 6
Locatelli N/A
Fagioli N/A

 

La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport
Di Gregorio 5.5
Savona 5
Gatti 6
Kalulu 6
Danilo 6
McKennie 5
Thuram 6
Weah 5
Koopmeiners 5
Yildiz 5.5
Vlahovic 6.5
Hugeux (Thiago Motta) 5
Nico Gonzalez N/A
Douglas Luiz 6
Conceicao 6.5
Locatelli N/A
Fagioli N/A

 

Tuttosport
Di Gregorio 5.5
Savona 5
Gatti 5.5
Kalulu 6
Danilo 5
McKennie 5
Thuram 7
Weah 5
Koopmeiners 5
Yildiz 5.5
Vlahovic 5.5
Hugeux (Thiago Motta) 5
Nico Gonzalez N/A
Douglas Luiz 6
Conceicao 6
Locatelli N/A
Fagioli N/A

 

IlBiancoNero
Di Gregorio 5
Savona 5
Gatti 6
Kalulu 6.5
Danilo 6
McKennie 5.5
Thuram 6.5
Weah 5
Koopmeiners 5
Yildiz 5.5
Vlahovic 6
Hugeux (Thiago Motta) 5
Nico Gonzalez N/A
Douglas Luiz 5.5
Conceicao 5.5
Locatelli N/A
Fagioli N/A

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/italian-newspapers-player-ratings-for-juventus-vs-venezia-only-thuram-spared/

[Socrates 8445]

“All mine” – Thiago Motta takes responsibility for Juventus midfielder’s uninspiring displays

 

Juventus coach Thiago Motta insists it’s his fault that Teun Koopmeiners hasn’t been able to hit his stride this season.

 

The Bianconeri spent almost eight months chasing the Dutchman while the stubborn Atalanta refused to drop their asking price. In the end, the Old Lady obliged, paying circa 60 million euros to secure the player’s signature towards the end of the summer transfer session. ............

 

But while Juventus fans were hoping that would spark an upturn in the player’s levels, Koopmeiners disappointed once again in Saturday’s miserable 2-2 draw against Venezia. The technical staff led by Alexander Hageux (in Motta’s absence) hauled the Dutchman off early in the second half in favor of Douglas Luiz, proving he’s no longer untouchable.

 

Nevertheless, Motta jumped to his player’s defense, assuming full responsibility for his underwhelming form. The Italian Brazilian believes he should find a solution that allows the midfielder to express his best football.

 

“The responsibility is all mine, said the 42-year-old in his post-match press conference.

 

“I have to put him in a better condition so he can play better and express his real level. He is a great player and for me, it is important to have him.” ............

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/all-mine-thiago-motta-takes-responsibility-for-juventus-midfielders-uninspiring-displays/

[Socrates 8445]

Juventus extend shocking record & the standout stats from Venezia draw

 

On Saturday night, the home supporters at the Allianz Stadium returned home disappointed once more, as their team settled for a draw once more, despite hosting Venezia who reside at the very bottom of the table. ............

 

The official Juventus website picked up the most interesting stats and facts registered in the aftermath.

 

We begin by addressing the elephant in the room, as the Bianconeri extended their undesired record by recording their 20th Serie A draw in 2024. This figure is shared by former manager Max Allegri (9), interim coach Paolo Montero (1) and the incumbent Thiago Motta (10).

 

As the source notes, the last Serie A club to draw as many games in a single year in the Italian top flight was Torino in 2017 (20).

 

 

But on a more positive note, Juventus remain unbeaten in the league this season, with their only loss occurring in the Champions League against Stuttgart. ............

 

Khephren Thuram, who was one of the bright lights for the Old Lady last night, provided his second assist of the season by sending a header towards the far post to Gatti. The Frenchman has provided two assists this season, already besting his numbers registered in 27 Ligue 1 appearances last term. ............

 

Finally, Gatti has found the back of the net for the first time since April when he scored from a corner kick against Fiorentina.

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/juventus-extend-shocking-record-the-standout-stats-from-venezia-draw/

[Socrates 8445]

Juventus is now the draw specialists in Europe’s top leagues

 

Juventus has endured a frustrating season so far, despite an impressive unbeaten run in Serie A and losing only one competitive match all season. The team, under Thiago Motta, has struggled to find consistency, drawing far too many games to establish themselves as genuine title contenders. While they have proven their capability to compete with Europe’s elite, their inability to overcome weaker opponents has been a significant hindrance. ............

 

The result against Venezia is a continuation of a troubling trend for Juventus this season: drawing too many games. The Bianconeri have drawn 10 of their 16 league matches, the highest number in Europe’s top five leagues. For comparison, the teams with the second-most draws in these leagues have just seven. This inability to secure wins has left Juventus far from the dominant force they aim to be and has frustrated their fans and players alike. ............

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/juventus-is-now-the-draw-specialists-in-europes-top-leagues/

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Juventus decide to drop Douglas Luiz from Coppa Italia squad

 

Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz has just made his return from injury following a two-month absence, but he won’t take part in the Coppa Italia contest against Cagliari.

 

The Bianconeri will kickstart their cup campaign by hosting the Sardinians on Tuesday night at the Allianz Stadium in the tournament’s Round of 16. This tie has been perceived as an opportunity for those who earned less playing time, like Nicolo Fagioli and Samuel Mbangula, to get some minutes in their legs.

 

Luiz certainly fits this category, having only made two appearances as a starter in Serie A since joining the club in the summer. ............

 

But while many were hoping to see more of the former Man City midfielder, the player will be dropped from the matchday squad.

 

As the source explains, the medical and technical staffs agreed that the player’s return to action should be delicately managed to avoid a relapse after the lengthy stoppage. Therefore, it has been decided not to risk the Brazil international in the cup fixture, but he should return to the fold for the weekend trip to Monza. ............

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/juventus-decide-to-drop-douglas-luiz-from-coppa-italia-squad/