Juventus lose to Real Madrid with ‘crucial flaw’, Yildiz ‘didn’t get into the game’

Football Italia expert Alfredo Pedullà points to the ‘crucial flaw’ that lost Juventus the game against Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, and claims that fan favourite Kenan Yildiz ‘didn’t get into the thick of the game’. 

Juventus were beaten 1-0 by 15-time Champions League victors Real Mardid at the Bernabeu on Wednesday evening, but despite the scoreline, put in a largely encouraging performance in the Spanish capital. 

Juventus had chances both to put themselves ahead, and to equalise after falling behind, but could not put the finishing touches on either of their biggest moments in front of goal. 

The defeat leaves Juventus in 25th place in the Champions League standings, and the Bianconeri have now not won in seven matches across all competitions, but Alfredo Pedullà suggests that there are some positives to be taken from Juve’s performance in Madrid. 

Analysing last night’s match on the Football Italia YouTube channel, Pedullà said: “Juventus played a good match, a courageous one, even. But, with a crucial flaw of not taking advantage of the chances they had in both the first and second half.

“Juventus kept control of the match, really risked very little in the first half apart from a great save from Di Gregorio on Mbappe, and delivered a reassuring team performance in light of recent difficulties and the criticism that had arisen.”

A slight reshuffle from Igor Tudor brought decent displays from Teun Koopmeiners and Weston McKennie in midfield, but fans saw less of Yildiz than what had been expected. 

“The team prepared well, even if it’s clear this was not the best Real. But tonight it wasn’t the best Real thanks to Juve, with a surprising move: Koopmeiners in midfield and McKennie a bit more advanced. 

“Koopmeiners did his part, the defence covered well and Vlahovic worked a lot for the team, while Yildiz, in my opinion, was on the fringes. He didn’t get into the thick of the game as he could have and generally should. 

“Real created few chances, Juve kept control of the match and the regret is going in at half-time with the score at 0-0.”