Kenan Yildiz scored twice as Juventus beat Cagliari 2-1, giving Luciano Spalletti his first home victory as Juve coach in Serie A
KENAN Yildiz secured Luciano Spalletti’s first home win as Juventus coach with a decisive brace in Saturday’s 2-1 Serie A victory over Cagliari.
The Turkey forward rescued Juventus with a stoppage-time winner just before halftime, displaying characteristic flair after driving toward Cagliari’s penalty area.
Yildiz equalised in the 27th minute with a deflected strike moments after Sebastiano Esposito had given the visitors a surprise lead.
His late first-half strike marked his fifth goal of the season for Juventus.
“Yildiz has the qualities of a great player, he gave us the win out of nothing,” said Spalletti.
The coach added he’s attempting to grant Yildiz maximum freedom while relieving him of tactical responsibilities.
Juventus now sit seventh with 23 points, trailing league leaders Roma by four points ahead of their Sunday clash with third-placed Napoli.
The 20-year-old Yildiz previously came off the bench to propel Juventus to a 3-2 Champions League victory at Bodo/Glimt on Tuesday.
Spalletti expressed enthusiasm about returning to Naples next Sunday for one of football’s most intense rivalries.
He will likely face his former club Napoli without Dusan Vlahovic after the Serbian striker suffered an apparent thigh injury.
Vlahovic had been Spalletti’s preferred centre forward since replacing the dismissed Igor Tudor.
“I don’t have a good feeling about it,” Spalletti said regarding the injury. – AFP
