Latest news with #MicheleDiGregorio
Forbes
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Three Things We Learned About Juventus At The FIFA Club World Cup
Daniele Rugani in action during the FIFA Club World Cup (Photo by Carl Kafka/ISI Photos/ISI Photos ... More via Getty Images) Juventus were eliminated from the FIFA Club World Cup at the hands of Real Madrid but, despite their 1-0 defeat at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, there were a number of important takeaways for the Bianconeri. As they head off for a short break before regrouping for preseason training, those tasked with leading the Turin giants into the 2025/26 campaign will have learned a lot about the squad at their disposal. What follows is a look at the three most noteworthy things we learned about Juve during their four matches during this competition in the USA, starting with a major positive between the posts. Michele Di Gregorio is vital to Juventus Having played every minute of the FIFA Club World Cup, it became increasingly clear that Michele Di Gregorio is one of the club's best and most important players. The goalkeeper may have kept just one clean sheet and conceded seven goals in four games, but his quality was evident for anyone paying attention. According to Di Gregorio made no fewer than 27 saves over those appearances in this competition, that tally of 6.75 per 90 far higher than the 2.15 per 90 he made in Serie A last term. Nowhere did the 27-year-old make more impact than in the defeat to Real Madrid, pulling off a number of incredible saves to deny Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde and others as he found himself repeatedly called into action. Signed last summer from AC Monza for a fee of €18 million ($19.49 million), Di Gregorio looks like a superb signing already worth far more than that initial transfer fee. He must be a cornerstone of Juve's plans for the future, while Gennaro Gattuso will surely start including him in Italy squads immediately. Juventus have serious defensive issues While Di Gregorio repeatedly spared their blushes, there was no escaping the fact that Juventus have genuine problems at the back. The Italian side possess a serious number of defenders who are simply not good enough to represent a club with ambitions of winning Serie A while competing in the UEFA Champions League. Lloyd Kelly, a €17.5 million ($20.61 million) acquisition from Newcastle United has looked completely out of his depth even given the slower pace of Italian football. Indeed, Juve have managed just six clean sheets in his 19 appearances to date, conceding a worrying 25 goals in the remaining matches. Yet, as Gleison Bremer recovers from his serious injury, Kelly is far from the only substandard defender in black and white. Daniele Rugani returned from yet another loan that has failed to lead to a move away, his time at Ajax ending just as spells with Cagliari and Rennes did. Back in the Juve lineup against Real Madrid, the once-promising defender looked to be the same timid, nervous player the club has given up on three times already. Set to turn 31 later this month, it is clear Rugani is never going to be a viable option for the Bianconeri who need to add reinforcements quickly. Compounding the feeling of desperation for defenders was the sight of Dean Huijsen starting for Real Madrid. The 20-year-old joined the Spanish side in May, completing a €59.5 million ($70.08 million) move from Bournemouth just 10 months after Juve sold him to the Premier League outfit for a mere €15.2 million ($17.90 million). 'I am surprised that Juventus didn't see the clear potential of the boy,' Fabio Capello – who managed both Juve and Real Madrid told La Gazzetta dello Sport this week. 'Huijsen didn't just suddenly become good. If he's playing for Real Madrid at 20, he's surely good enough for Juventus.' Juventus' Kenan Yildiz is a genuine star Besides Di Gregorio, arguably the only other positive for Juventus from the Club World Cup were the performances of Kenan Yildiz. The Turkey international used the tournament as something of a personal showcase, delivering some stunning performances and sensational goals along the way. Indeed, in 251 minutes of action over his four appearances in the US, Yildiz weighed in with three goals and two assists, consistently at the heart of everything positive his side produced. Juventus must hold onto him while seeking solutions for other problems in the team, as they quickly learn the lessons of a tournament that saw them record just two wins and two losses in four outings.
Al Arabiya
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Gonzalo García's header powers Real Madrid past Juventus 1-0 and into Club World Cup quarterfinals
Breakout tournament star Gonzalo García scored his third goal of the Club World Cup to power Real Madrid past Juventus 1–0 in the round of 16 on Tuesday afternoon and into the quarterfinals. García has started all four of Real Madrid's matches because of a gastrointestinal illness to star striker Kylian Mbappé. The 21-year-old broke a second-half tie with a header in the 54th minute, giving him a goal contribution in every match of the tournament. García subbed out in the 68th as Mbappé checked in, making his Club World Cup debut after he was briefly hospitalized with the illness. He missed Real Madrid's three group stage matches. García's header Tuesday came after Real Madrid had forced Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio into consecutive spectacular saves in the opening minutes of the second half. It was an incredible performance from the Italian goalie, whose 10 saves kept the match close. It was a scoreless and evenly contested first half – the first time either team had been held without a goal in the opening half of a match in the tournament. Both sides had chances, including Randal Kolo Muani's effort that went over the bar seven minutes in and Federico Valverde's shot that was denied by Di Gregorio before the end of the half. But Real Madrid overwhelmed Juventus in the second half, finishing with 11 shots on target to 2. Key moment: There were loud cheers from the 62,149 fans at Hard Rock Stadium when Mbappé came into the game. Many were wearing his jersey and yelling 'Mbappé! Mbappé!' Takeaways: Real Madrid will face the winner of Tuesday night's match between Borussia Dortmund and Monterrey on Saturday at MetLife Stadium for a spot in the semifinals.
Washington Post
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Gonzalo Garcia's header powers Real Madrid past Juventus 1-0 and into Club World Cup quarterfinals
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Breakout tournament star Gonzalo García scored his third goal of the Club World Cup to power Real Madrid past Juventus 1-0 in the round of 16 on Tuesday afternoon and into the quarterfinals. García has started all four of Real Madrid's matches because of a gastrointestinal illness to star striker Kylian Mbappé. The 21-year-old broke a second-half tie with a header in the 54th minute, giving him a goal contribution in every match of the tournament. García subbed out in the 68th as Mbappé checked in , making his Club World Cup debut after he was briefly hospitalized with the illness. He missed Real Madrid's three group stage matches. García's header Tuesday came after Real Madrid had forced Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio into consecutive spectacular saves in the opening minutes of the second half. It was an incredible performance from the Italian goalie, whose 10 saves kept the match close. It was a scoreless and evenly contested first half, the first time either team had been held without a goal in the opening half of a match in the tournament. Both sides had chances, including Randal Kolo Muani's effort that went over the bar seven minutes in and Federico Valverde's shot that was denied by Di Gregorio before the end of the half. But Real Madrid overwhelmed Juventus in the second half, finishing with 11 shots on target to 2. There were loud cheers from the 62,149 fans at Hard Rock Stadium when Mbappé came into the game. Many were wearing his jersey and yelling 'Mbappé! Mbappé!' Real Madrid will face the winner of Tuesday night's match between Borussia Dortmund and Monterrey, on Saturday at MetLife Stadium for a spot in the semifinals. ___ AP soccer:
Associated Press
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Gonzalo García's header powers Real Madrid past Juventus 1-0 and into Club World Cup quarterfinals
Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Breakout tournament star Gonzalo García scored his third goal of the Club World Cup to power Real Madrid past Juventus 1-0 in the round of 16 on Tuesday afternoon and into the quarterfinals. García has started all four of Real Madrid's matches because of a gastrointestinal illness to star striker Kylian Mbappé. The 21-year-old broke a second-half tie with a header in the 54th minute, giving him a goal contribution in every match of the tournament. García subbed out in the 68th as Mbappé checked in , making his Club World Cup debut after he was briefly hospitalized with the illness. He missed Real Madrid's three group stage matches. García's header Tuesday came after Real Madrid had forced Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio into consecutive spectacular saves in the opening minutes of the second half. It was an incredible performance from the Italian goalie, whose 10 saves kept the match close. It was a scoreless and evenly contested first half, the first time either team had been held without a goal in the opening half of a match in the tournament. Both sides had chances, including Randal Kolo Muani's effort that went over the bar seven minutes in and Federico Valverde's shot that was denied by Di Gregorio before the end of the half. But Real Madrid overwhelmed Juventus in the second half, finishing with 11 shots on target to 2. Key moment There were loud cheers from the 62,149 fans at Hard Rock Stadium when Mbappé came into the game. Many were wearing his jersey and yelling 'Mbappé! Mbappé!' Takeaways Real Madrid will face the winner of Tuesday night's match between Borussia Dortmund and Monterrey, on Saturday at MetLife Stadium for a spot in the semifinals. ___ AP soccer:
The Sun
26-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Manchester City dominate Juventus 5-2 in Club World Cup clash
Michele Di Gregorio #29 of Juventus FC makes a save during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group G match between Juventus FC and Manchester City FC at Camping World Stadium on June 26, 2025 in Orlando, Florida MANCHESTER CITY delivered a commanding performance to secure a 5-2 victory over Juventus in the Club World Cup, maintaining their flawless group-stage record. The win ensures City finishes atop Group G, potentially avoiding a tough last-16 clash with Real Madrid. Pep Guardiola's side, featuring several new signings, displayed sharp attacking play from the start. Bernardo Silva tested Juventus keeper Michele Di Gregorio early before Rayan Ait-Nouri's pinpoint pass set up Jeremy Doku for the opener in the ninth minute. Juventus briefly leveled after Ederson's errant pass was punished by Teun Koopmeiners, but a Pierre Kalulu own goal restored City's lead. Erling Haaland, introduced at halftime, wasted no time marking his return with a goal—his 300th in professional football—after a well-worked team move. Further strikes from Phil Foden and Savinho extended City's dominance before Dusan Vlahovic's late consolation for Juventus. Rodri, making his first start since an ACL injury, played 66 minutes before being substituted to applause. Guardiola praised his team's intensity, saying, 'The players showed great hunger today. We're building momentum at the right time.' With Group H's final matches pending, City awaits confirmation of their knockout-stage opponent. Juventus, meanwhile, face an uphill battle to progress.
