Capello impressed by ‘class’ Yildiz in Juventus 2-1 Cagliari: ‘Capable of dragging the team’

Fabio Capello was full of praise for the ‘class’ Kenan Yildiz after his performance in Juventus’s 2-1 victory over Cagliari on Saturday, and feels that the Turk is a player who is ‘capable of dragging a team on his own’. 

The 20-year-old Bianconeri star scored a first-half brace to send Juventus on their way to victory after briefly falling behind to a Sebastiano Esposito strike at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday. 

This was Juve’s second game in a row, and the second consecutive game that they have had to come from behind following Tuesday’s 3-2 Champions League victory away against Bodo/Glimt. 

Yildiz has recorded a staggering two goals and three assists over those last two games, and Capello believes that the Bianconeri ace has the world at his feet. 

“I noticed two interesting similarities in these last two victories,” Capello wrote in his La Gazzetta dello Sport column.

“Firstly, the Bianconeri had to come from behind against Cagliari, just as they had to against Bodo. The reaction was good, Spalletti has found that character that he needs. 

“Second is the Yildiz factor. The Turk was decisive again after inspiring off the bench in Norway. Yesterday, he decided the game with a brilliant brace, playing as a true striker on the afternoon that Vlahovic was injured. 

“There’s no point in beating around the bush, Yildiz is only 20 years old but already a key player for this Juve side.” 

Capello believes that it is not just his technical ability that makes Yildiz such an exciting prospect for Juventus. 

“Aside from his class and his great shooting, which he has already shown before, game after game he is also showing that he has great character. He always manages to make an impact, either as a starter or off the bench. 

“The coach and the club can smile, these are the sorts of players who are capable of dragging a team on their own and that can take them a long way.”