Poker for Juve at Wydad Casablanca, Yildiz show. Tudor: “It will be tougher against City”

PHILADELPHIA. Juventus has secured the round of 16 with one round to spare thanks to a 4-1 victory over Moroccan side Wydad.

The one who drags the Bianconeri is Yildiz, who scores an own goal and scores a brace in great style. It takes Tudor's team just 6 minutes to take the lead. At the end of a maneuvered action, Thuram passes it into the area for Yildiz himself who beats Benabid with his left foot at his post, taking advantage of an involuntary deflection by Boutouil, later considered an own goal. The young Turkish talent is in great form and doubles the lead in the 16th minute. Cambiaso cuts the field from the left towards the center and passes to Yildiz, who unleashes an unstoppable right-footed shot under the top corner, scoring a goal of exquisite workmanship.

The game seemed to be going downhill, but in the 25th minute it was the North Africans who closed the gap. The Juventus defense was not reactive on a throw-in and Amrabat served a perfect assist for Lorch, who entered the area and beat Di Gregorio with a lob for 2-1. At this point, Tudor's men dropped slightly but did not run any further risks until the end of the first half. In the second half a strong wind rose, significantly influencing the game. In the 12th minute, Juve almost scored a third when Cambiaso hit the post with a left-footed volley following a corner kicked from the right. Five minutes later, the great opportunity fell to Kolo Muani, who sent the ball wide from two steps away with a first-time intention, wasting an assist from the left by Cambiaso. But the goal was in the air and arrived in the 24th minute. Kolo Muani plays a vertical pass into the box for Yildiz, who comes back on his right, skips past Boutouil and beats the keeper with a low right-footed shot into the far corner.

Di Gregorio also signed up for the challenge in injury time, making two good saves in quick succession, first on a right-footed shot from Mwalimu and then on a header from Moufi. Shortly after, Vlahovic earned a penalty following a foul in the area by Guilherme. The Serbian striker stepped up to take the spot, beating Benabid and making it 4-1. Juventus thus celebrated their second consecutive victory and are ready to close out their group on Thursday at 9pm, in the big match against Manchester City that could determine first place.

Tudor's comment

"It was a different game in terms of time and pace. They prepared to face us. I'm always scared even when we're ahead 3-1 or 4-1. The boys were good, they won two good games. Now they'll be free to go out for dinner in Orlando." "Yildiz? Playing in attack and making the difference, also having the pace of a true midfielder, is a rare gift. We've all seen what he's capable of doing. He's a golden boy - adds the Croatian coach - Vlahovic came in with the right mindset, playing for the team. Locatelli left him the penalty, as captain. A beautiful gesture. Against City it will certainly be a tougher challenge."