Juventus beat Benfica as McKennie streak rolls
Spalletti hails 2-0 over Benfica but warns Juve must react quicker: “our radar must always be online.” Praises Yildiz as an “alien”, urges David, Openda to be more ruthless after Pavlidis’ missed pen.
Juventus sit 15th on 12 points; Opta gives 6.75% for top eight and 93.25% for play-offs. Final game: Monaco away. Inter, Atalanta similar spots; Napoli outside top 24 risk.
Juve hold talks to sign Al-Ahli’s Franck Kessié in June. Early move aimed to beat rivals; profile adds physicality to midfield. Further meeting set as club plan summer reinforcement.
Juventus start David and Yildiz with McKennie, Thuram, Locatelli; Di Gregorio in goal. Mourinho’s Benfica field Pavlidis, Sudakov, Aursnes. Juve seek to lock down play-off spot after mixed league form.
Ex-Juventus youth Samuel Mbangula sparks Bremen’s 3-2 turnaround v Frankfurt: deadly free-kick delivery for Stage, incisive pass before Milosevic goal. Coach demands more defensive work from the 22-year-old.
Thuram’s low strike and McKennie’s third straight UCL goal see Juventus beat Mourinho’s Benfica 2-0. Di Gregorio key, Aursnes hit post, Pavlidis slipped and missed late penalty. Play-off berth in sight.
Milan push for Juventus defender Federico Gatti. Allegri would accept reinforcement, but Juve refuse discounts; loan with option/obligation discussed. Igli Tare leads talks; budget a hurdle.
Juve target Mateta wants out of Crystal Palace. Eagles value near £40m; Villa also keen. Spalletti calm on transfers, focusing on current squad amid injuries and push for Champions League seeding.
After scoring again v Benfica, McKennie draws Premier League interest amid contract impasse. Juve plan renewal as Spalletti’s key man hits 3 UCL games, 3 goals; Leeds loan, MLS and Turkey also noted.
