02 October 2018
LA VECCHIA SIGNORA GOING STRONG
Juventus made it eight wins in all competitions this season after beating Napoli 3-1 at the weekend. Although Dries Mertens put the visitors ahead on the 10-minute mark it seemed to spark an immediate fightback from the Bianconeri, who drew level when Mario Mandzukic headed in Cristiano Ronaldo’s cross in the 26th minute.
Napoli were able to resist Juve’s pressure until the end of the half, however the Old Lady went in front early into the second half, as Mandzukic capitalised on Ronaldo’s shot hitting the post to tap home. Napoli were then reduced to 10 men when Mario Rui picked up a second yellow for a foul on Dybala. Juve made the result safe 15 minutes from time, as Leonardo Bonucci turned in Ronaldo’s header from a corner.
As well as on the domestic front Juve picked up three points on Matchday One of the Champions League, seeing off Valencia 0-2 in Spain thanks to two penalties from Miralem Pjanic.
BOYS FROM BERN IN TOWN
Young Boys arrive in Turin in good form, currently sitting top of the Swiss Super League, having won all of their games so far, with their latest win coming at the weekend as they saw off third-placed Thun 1-4 away from home.
Despite their strong domestic form, it hasn’t transitioned into Europe thus far, as the team from Bern lost their Champions League group stage opener 0-3 at home to Manchester United. Former Juventus midfielder, Paul Pogba scored twice, with Anthony Martial notching the other to leave Young Boys bottom of Group H after Matchday 1.
In terms of stand-out players, perhaps the best-known name to fans will be that of former Ajax and Benfica forward, Miralem Sulejmani. Other players include former Paris Saint-Germain and France striker, Guillaume Hoarau and Young Boys captain, Steve von Bergen who turned out for Cesena, Genoa and Palermo in Italy.
#JUVEYB MATCH STATS
- Whilst Juventus and Young Boys have never faced each other in competitive action, they have played one another in three friendly matches: a win a-piece in the Coppa delle Alpi and most recently a 1-1 draw in Switzerland in 2007.
- Juventus have won five of their six previous Champions League matches against Swiss teams.
- The Bianconeri’s last competitive encounter against a Swiss side in Turin was in the 2002/03 Champions League second group stage against Basel, with Juve winning 4-0 at the then Stadio Delle Alpi.
- Young Boys won their 12th league title last season, as they were named Swiss champions for the first time since 1986.
- Blaise Matuidi and Guillaume Hoarau played together at PSG from 2011-2013.
- Paulo Dybala and Steve von Bergen were teammates at Palermo for the 2012/13 season.
- Juve have made their best start to a season since 1930/31, winning eight games in all competitions.
- Young Boys are unbeaten domestically, winning nine games from nine.
- This is the Swiss side’s first ever appearance in the Champions League proper.
- The Bianconeri are unbeaten at home in the Champions League group stages since 2009.
