It is rare to be able to say that the overwhelming majority of the team on the field perform well in a match. But with the exception of what was a lackluster performance of generally exceptional Khephren Thuram early on and Fracisco Conceicao specifically in some wing play where he was surrounded on all sides before attempting crosses, this [Juventus](https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com) team can claim victory over Manchester City, the great controversial white whale of football. While pundits were claiming that this match would be the one for the Pep Guardiola’s squad to regain its footing, a group of young Bianconeri who have overcome an injury crisis, individual issues, some negative press, and doubts from fans, simply said: “Not today.”
Objectively, this Manchester City side is not the same one that played against Inter Milan in the [Champions League](https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league) final in 2023, as it has faced similar issues on- and off-field issues as Juventus, but any Guardiola-led squad is nothing to scoff at, even in a particularly rough run of form.
But in the end, every player clad in black and white not only did their job, but exceeded their mandate. The Americans led a CONCACAF-style goal run, Dusan Vlahovic got a much-needed goal reminiscent of the CR7 Atletico goal in the 2018-19 campaign that just barely crossed the line, and the ever-lovable Federico Gatti kept Erling Haaland safe and sound in his pocket.
### _**Dusan Goal-hovic**_
In the ever-enticing saga of Vlahovic at Juventus, he again proved that in big matches, he’s the man to trust. Early in the match, his few runs at goal saw him drifting to the left, both losing ball control and angling himself out of a positive shot position. Then came the 53rd minute, when Gatti attempted a scissor kick and resulted in Kenan Yildiz’s possession of the ball, only to quickly cross to the center of the box and find the head of the Vlahovic. From there, it was up to goal-line technology, but it seemed that the majority of players in the Manchester City box knew right away that the ball crossed the line, solidifying a 1-0 lead for Juventus.
Vlahovic needed this goal badly, as there are rising complaints about his goal-scoring droughts as well as his penchant for drifting when in attacking runs, where he generally finds at least two defenders waiting to stop any momentum. He received the Man of the Match award for his performance, the only shame being that only one award can be given out to a single player.
Weston McKennie is one of the great mysteries of Italian football. The American has endured so much in his time at Juventus, from a loan to a relegation-battling Leeds United in January 2023 to a muscle fatigue injury that led many to believe that he would be out for the Man City match, with much more in-between. But the pride of Little Elm, Texas, consistently proves that when it counts, he is more than ready to show up and show out. Alongside fellow countryman Timothy Weah, the lead, as well as the victory, were secured.
In the 69th minute, the USMNT duo came on, replacing Thuram and Conceicao. Within five minutes, a Danilo pass found McKennie near the center line. He then sent a long ball careening toward the feet of Weah, who quickly attempted a cross that was stopped by Rico Lewis, only for the ball to roll directly back to the Brooklyn native. With virtually nobody on McKennie, his arms went up to signal for the pass, and a short Weah cross was sent to the center of the City penalty area. Ever the technical player with a pension for flair, McKennie lept into an attempt side volley, sending the ball past a dumbfounded Ederson for the goal.
However, fans are left to wonder if the American’s quick celebration was an attempt at his signature Harry Potter celebration before being besieged on all sides by his celebrating teammates, or just the sheer excitement of putting the nail in the match’s coffin. Who is to thank here? Mauricio Pochettino for keeping the duo together on international duty? Thiago Motta for believing in McKennie’s continued prowess after almost four years with Juventus? Even former manager Max Allegri deserves credit for bringing on a then 23-year-old Weah — who continues to now improve month after month — in the summer of 2023.
### _**Let’s get defensive**_
Gatti and Danilo both deserve praise for this match. The former kept Haaland at bay, allowing the great Norwegian giant only 18 touches, while the latter shut down the majority of wing play and had crucial stops in the Manchester City attack. If Bolognia and Manchester City have proved anything, it’s that even with some early season struggles, Danilo is still able to perform, and was the winner in his 2019 transfer from Manchester to Turin.
On the other hand, Gatti was everywhere. He kept Kevin De Bruyne at bay, left zero room for Haaland to score, and ended the match with a 90% passing accuracy. But let’s not forget about his scissor kick attempt that led to a magical run of play that resulted in the Vlahovic goal. Maybe McKennie saw that from the bench and thought “I can do that, but better.”
Either way, Gatti is consistently showing that he is a large part of the heart and soul of this new Juventus, and boy does he love his job.
### _**“Who the \*redacted\* is this Yildiz?”**_
Manchester United and English national team legend Paul Scholes said it best. Yildiz time and time again outperforms himself in every match. From his assist to Vlahovic to his own attempts at goal and play on the wings, the Turkish international has quickly earned the very deserved title of “Starboy.” Defenders can’t keep him pinned, and even if they try, his speed and ball control made quick work of Pep’s defensive line.
But back to Mr. Scholes.
Perhaps he should spend a bit more time watching the performances of Serie A clubs outside of continental competition, or he is sure to miss special moments of rising talent. There is a whole world of magnificent football that comes from the sunny Italian peninsula, but that is a conversation (or argument) for another day.
**The Bad**
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### _**Early match jitters**_
Realistically, there was not much that went wrong with this match. Even with many key players still on the injury list, the Juventus defense locked down their half, while attacking plays made short work of Manchester City. That being said, the first half was a bit slow, and that can be chalked up to the Bianconeri analyzing the game that the English giant brought.
But after that? Magic at home.
Admittedly, it was not that big of a concern that the first half was a bit lackluster in attack. _Mad Men’s_ Lane Pryce put it best during his fictional viewing of the 1966 World Cup, “the first half of a football match is just flirting.”
**The Ugly**
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### _**Bernardo, read the room**_
Toward the end of the match, a little scuffle broke out between Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva and Juventus keeper Michele Di Gregorio. From the replay, it seemed that after play had stopped in an attacking run, Silva shoved Gatti in the back, resulting in him going right into Di Gregorio. More or less, this was a funny display of City players being upset at their own situation. Gatti and Di Gregorio, who both stand over 6 feet tall, responded to Silva’s aggression with their own, but in the end only the City man saw a deserved yellow card.
### _**Cheeky, real cheeky**_
After Mckennie’s goal, it seemed that reality had set in for Manchester City. Not only about their performance as visitors to Turin, but their recent form. In the past 10 matches across all competitions, they have walked away with one win, seven losses, and two draws. So it seemed only natural that the aggression came out. A series of cheap fouls followed, if nothing else to stagnate momentum in the match. Most notably, Jack Grealish was shown a yellow card for a bad foul in the 84th minute. It’s victim? Manuel Locatelli, who was putting on an absolute powerhouse performance.
It’s understandable, as Pep and the City boys were being put in an ever-narrowing corner.
**Buono, Brutto, o Cattivo?**
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This was probably the match of the season to date, with stiff competition coming from the comeback win over RB Leipzig. It simply felt right, reminiscent of those old Juventus matches of the 2010s where everyone is doing their job and in the right place.
In hindsight, all the punditry that claimed Juventus would lose — looking at Jamie Carragher on this one — underestimated Motta’s squad. Sure, it’s young, it’s had some rough times early on, but is still capable of making absolutely magical performances happen.
The stars aligned, and almost everything good that could happen, did happen. For that reason this match was an unquestionable “buono.” But as it is now in the rearview, that momentum must be kept as the club enters the midpoint of the season.