Benedikt Höwedes: A brief introduction

Juventus completed the signing of 29 year old German defender Benedikt Höwedes from Schalke for a season long loan and a reported fee of  €3.5million. Höwedes is mainly a central defender but can also when needed play at right back which should please Juventus fans given the only other options prior to Höwedes arrival being that of Stephan Lichtsteiner & Mattia De Sciglio

Before joining Juventus Höwedes had spent his playing career in Germany at Schalke where he was captain for six years so should bring some much needed leadership in defence after the departure of Bonucci. He has also played for the German national side 44 times which included all of Germanys fixtures during the 2014 world cup victory where he played at left back. This again highlighting how much of an asset a player like Höwedes will be for Juventus given that he can comfortably play anywhere in defence. When it comes to European cup experience he has played 39 times & scored 5 goals in the UEFA Champions League (one being against Inter Milan during Schalke 2010/2011 season run that ended in the semi finals)

Overall I rate this as a positive signing. A player with international experience in abundance, big game experience (can you think of a bigger match than a world cup final?) and for me most importantly a versatile player to cover any unfortunate injuries in defence that occur during the season ahead. 

Genoa - Juventus: Match Report (26.08.17)

It was looking like a repeat horror show of last season’s visit to the Stadio Luigi Ferraris for Juventus as Genoa took only 12 minutes to go 2-0 ahead. A Pjanic own goal and for the second time in as many matches Juventus conceded a penalty from VAR decision. Unfortunately for Juventus unlike last week’s opening match against Cagliari, Buffon would not come to the rescue as Galabinov (who some might argue was in an offside position during the lead up to the penalty decision) fired home for 2-0

Juventus fans were probably suffering from flash backs to the 3-1 defeat delt here last season prior to Dybala grabbing a goal back 14 minutes later with an effort at the near post. Juventus would have spells of possession but Genoa always looked a threat on the counter and at times looking the more likely of the two sides to score again. Juventus would almost level the score line through Dybala but Perrin was equal to the number 10s effort as well as Mandzukic who struck an effort from the rebound

There was confusion as the game approached half time as the match came to a stop before what looked like would be a Juventus corner only for the referee to change the decision to a penalty this time for Juventus. Dybala would not be denied this time from Perrin to make it 2-2 going into half time

Thankfully the second half didn’t kick off as frantically as the first did and Juventus eventually took the lead for the first time from a brilliant Cuadrado strike assisted by Mandzukic. Genoa however did not give up and were encouraged by Juventus sitting deep towards the end of the match but eventually the result was put beyond doubt when Dybala completed his first hat trick for Juventus on the 92^nd minute to make it 4-2

Positives: Dybala showed once again why he is so valuable to Juventus with his skills and goals making it 4 goals scored in the opening two matches

Midfield looked more solid with the introduction of new signing Matuidi who is an immediate upgrade on Khedira and it was no coincidence Juventus looked better with the French man on the pitch

Negatives: Higuain continually giving the ball away in the first half by miss placing the ball and hitting wide when a striker of his quality really should be hitting the target especially inside the penalty area

Khedira could at best be described as statue like for the majority of his time spent on the pitch. Sooner Matuidi becomes a first team regular the better

Cuadrado despite his wonderful goal was again disappointing like the previous two games against Lazio & Cagliari, Douglas Costa really should be replacing him at some point this season 

UEFA Champions League Group D 2017-2018

It was a draw that frankly could have been better (look no further than Group G for example) but overall it was not the worst outcome. With the likes of the Manchester clubs, PSG and Barcelona in pot 2 there was always the likely hood of a tough fixture awaiting Juventus. 

As it would turn out the club drawn from pot 2 to face Juventus would be a familiar foe… Barcelona. Stating the obvious it was not a club most fans would want their side to be drawn with. Positives? Barcelona are still attempting to fill the void left by Neymar with a suitable replacement. Regardless of who it could be they will have a tough time replicating the frightening attack of a Neymar, Messi, Suarez combination. There’s also the recent memory of a 3-0 win for Juventus the last time both sides met in Italy during last seasons campaign.

Another familiar sight was drawn from pot 3. Olympiacos, who faced Juventus as recent as the 2014/2015 group stage that included a dramatic 3-2 win at the Juventus stadium but also a 1-0 defeat traveling away to Greece. Anyone who remembers those encounters will know how tricky the Greek side could be if Juventus take them lightly, specifically for the away game. Fun fact Olympiacos highest defeat in the champions league was against Juventus in 2003 a 7-0 victory for the bianconeri.

And finally from pot 4 came Sporting Lisbon. Arguably one of the sides Juventus would have preferred to have avoided given that Apoel, Qarabağ and Maribor were also in pot 4. However Sporting are a side Juventus will be expected to defeat both home and away

Overall two exciting games against Barcelona and a tricky away fixture to Olypiacos makes Group D an intriguing prospect for the Bianconeri and her fans.