🫣 Yildiz flops at Bernabeu 👎 His fault or Juve's? The stats | OneFootball

Kenan Yildiz at the Bernabeu. Or rather, captain Kenan Yildiz at the Bernabeu. The Turkish star showed up last night wearing the Number Ten and the captain’s armband in what is probably the most iconic stadium in the world.

Watch the entire Serie BKT live on OneFootball for only €9.99 per month. Click here to purchase the LaB Channel Monthly Pass with no automatic renewal.

There was a lot of anticipation for the 2005-born player, partly because of the general situation the Bianconeri are experiencing and partly because in Turin they still remember the standing ovation given by the Blancos fans to Del Piero back in 2008.

Many saw the match at the Bernabeu as a test for Yildiz, called upon to repeat what his idol had accomplished on that legendary stage in the past.

🤔 Kenan, failed test?

It didn’t go as expected. Maybe due to too much pressure, maybe because of the team’s difficult moment, but at the Bernabeu the star of the Number 10 did not shine. Three shots, but with just 0.08 expected goals (xG), zero successful dribbles, and zero fouls suffered.

Looking at the distribution of his plays, it’s not surprising that most of them came during the defensive phase and—therefore—in containment.

A pity, because Xabi Alonso’s Real left more than one opening for Tudor’s team to counterattack, and indeed they had their chances. Did they need more courage? Perhaps yes, especially considering how in the past the Bernabeu has exalted players of superior class. Not least, Lamine Yamal, who in Madrid ran rings around Ancelotti’s last Real.

🗣️ "Angry, but what an emotion"

This isn’t a failure, and it could never be, especially at the start of a season in which one of the few convincing things about Tudor’s Juventus is precisely the Turk. Who, speaking to Prime Video after the match, emphasized all his pride at wearing the captain’s armband on such a special night:

"An incredible feeling in this stadium, it’s the first time I start with the captain’s armband, it’s fantastic. I’m a bit angry about the result because it was tough. It was a great match, but that’s how it went.”

There will be many more tests like last night’s for Kenan. The feeling is that it’s not just Yildiz who needs to improve, but all of Juventus. If the team raises its level, so will its Number Ten. At least, that’s what great players do.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.

📸 Angel Martinez - 2025 Getty Images