Del Piero analyses Juventus and Yildiz performance in 3-2 Bodo/Glimt win: ‘Panache’

Alessandro Del Piero says that Kenan Yildiz brought the ‘panache’ and ‘dangerousness’ that Juventus needed with his inspiring second-half performance during Tuesday night’s 3-2 victory over Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League. 

The Bianconeri picked up their first Champions League victory of the season at the fifth time of asking on Wednesday night, overcoming the freezing temperatures in Norway to move up to 21st place in the standings.

The Old Lady had trailed 1-0 at the interval, but Yildiz, brought off the bench at half-time, came on and was involved in three second half goals to send Juventus on their way to an eventual 3-2 victory. 

His performance on the night has drawn yet more comparisons to Juventus legend Del Piero, who watched the Bianconeri performance while on pundirty duty with Sky Sport Italia on Tuesday night. 

Speaking on Sky, Del Piero described the Juventus display as: “Courageous.” 

“Because it was definitely a difficult game due to the weather conditions, that’s the reality,” he continued. 

“In addition to the cold and the snow, there’s also the artificial pitch, which they’re not used to, but also the way (Bodo/Glimt) play there. They’re a team that hurts the opposition at home, they’re determined. They don’t do many things, but they do them well and to the max.

“Juventus have to show character at a time when they need to show more. It’s essential for them to find a way to turn the season around. The arrival of Spalletti has given them an emotional boost, but you have to back it up on the pitch with big wins. There are games where you have to win, even when you’re not playing well. Tonight was one of those.” 

Del Piero derived how things need to improve for Juventus in attack. 

“Playing up front, you need quick balls in behind, without making 18 passes in the build-up, so you don’t give your opposition a chance to settle. If they have that desire to put talented players in one-on-one, you have to do it quickly. Having solidity in the defensive phase in the first 30 minutes is important, too. 

Del Piero believes that Spalletti still has one major issue to address, though. 

“Juventus still don’t have a clear starting line-up. When you see that Vlahovic, Yildiz and Thuram were left out, it was definitely a sign of confidence in those who are playing less.

“There are small signs. It was important to win tonight. With how the game went, and with a swing of luck, Juve could have been further behind in the first half and could have lost ie before scoring the goal for 3-2. Winning is an important sign, because the points are arriving, but it’s also important for morale, and we need some of that right now.” 

Del Piero went on to analyse Yildiz’s performance. Corriere dello Sport described the Turk’s display as a performance ‘a la Alex’ on Wednesday’s front page. 

“Yildiz brought panache, dangerousness, he always felt like a threat, which is a position Juventus need to put other teams in more and hadn’t shown it in the first half. He did the reverse, bringing the feeling that the opposition could concede goals at any moment. 

“In the second half, the whole Juve team came out better, but having a player like Yildiz who can beat his man and make the difference is a plus for everyone. You feel stronger, you feel that you can go out and win.” 

Del Piero was asked if the Juventus squad would have felt like they were out of the Champions League when they were losing at half-time. 

He replied: “We’re here to enjoy a victory, which came with a lot of character and determination. The second half was perfect, but with big ‘buts’.