Three Things We Learned About Juventus At The FIFA Club World Cup

SportsMoneyThree Things We Learned Juventus At The FIFA World CupByAdam Digby, Contributor

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights

More via Getty Images)ISI Photos via Getty Images Juventus were eliminated from the FIFA 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

What s is a look at the three most noteworthy things we learned 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 World Cup, it became increasingly that Michele Di Gregorio is one of the ’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

Com, Di Gregorio made no fewer than 27 s 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

MORE FOR YOU Nowhere did the 27-year-old make more impact than in the defeat to Real Madrid, pulling off a number of incredible s to deny Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde and others as he found himself repeatedly called into action

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 blems at the back

The Italian side possess a serious number of defenders who are simply not good enough to represent a with ambitions of winning Serie A while competing in the UEFA Champions League

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-mising defender looked to be the same timid, nervous player the has given up on three times already

Set to turn 31 later this month, it is 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

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 World Cup were the performances of Kenan Yildiz

The Turkey international used the tournament as something of a personal showcase, dering some stunning performances and sensational goals along the way

Juventus must hold onto him while seeking solutions for other blems 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

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