Juventus legend Claudio Marchisio credits the team`s unwavering mental strength for their dramatic 4-4 draw against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. He also named Dusan Vlahovic as Juventus`s strongest center-forward and drew parallels between the promising Turkish talent Kenan Yildiz and Barcelona`s Lamine Yamal.
Marchisio offered his perspective ahead of Juventus`s Serie A fixture against Hellas Verona. The team, currently managed by Igor Tudor, recently emerged from a chaotic 4-4 stalemate with Borussia Dortmund, a match where the Bianconeri remarkably recovered from a 4-2 deficit during injury time.
Reflecting on the thrilling European encounter, Marchisio stated, “Without a solid and mentally resilient group, you cannot recover in such demanding games, especially in the Champions League. Furthermore, certain refereeing decisions did not assist Juventus against Borussia Dortmund.” He further elaborated, “It`s inherent in the club`s DNA not to concede goals, but scoring frequently also demonstrates significant attacking quality. After all, the club has invested in their forward line with players like David, Openda, and Zhegrova.”
Marchisio: Yildiz Embodies Juventus`s Core Values
Despite being only 20 years old, Kenan Yildiz is already perceived by Locatelli as one of Juventus`s `leaders`.
Marchisio explained, “Locatelli consistently takes on responsibilities both on and off the pitch. Bremer is a leader, and one should certainly not forget Yildiz. At just 20, Kenan is proving his considerable capabilities. He isn`t just a creator; he actively crafts his own scoring opportunities. A young player with such immense quality, who gives his heart and soul, inspires everyone around him, starting with his teammates.”
He continued, “Bremer`s assessment that Kenan`s impact makes him akin to Juventus`s Lamine Yamal is spot on. Yildiz would undoubtedly have found a place in the Juventus team of my playing era.”
When questioned about whether Yildiz deserves a contract extension, likely including a substantial salary increase, Marchisio firmly affirmed, “Yes, absolutely. Despite being an international player, he perfectly symbolizes all of Juventus`s foundational values.”
“It is uncommon nowadays to find a player who is so talented and sought after across Europe, yet genuinely dreams of remaining with his club to achieve success. Yildiz exemplifies this loyalty and therefore merits an economic reward from the club.”
Marchisio also shared his thoughts on Dusan Vlahovic`s impressive current form. Vlahovic, who many anticipated would leave the club during the summer, is now outperforming prolific strikers such as Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, and Harry Kane in terms of goals per minute this season.
“During his time at Juve, Dusan tends to evoke strong reactions – you either hold him in high regard or not,” Marchisio observed. “He has consistently scored goals, but at times, there have been varying expectations regarding his overall play or attitude. He is undeniably strong, and his goals-per-minute ratio clearly demonstrates this. If he maintains this composure, he will continue to score week after week.”
When asked to select his `favorite` striker from Juventus`s current options – Vlahovic, David, or Openda – Marchisio responded, “Among the three, Dusan is the `true` number nine. David and Openda possess different characteristics. Last season, Dusan carried the entire burden of the attack on his shoulders, but now that responsibility is shared. As Tudor, I would be pleased to have three capable strikers, especially compared to Thiago Motta, who only had Vlahovic for six months last season.”
