Kenan Yildiz spearheads Juventus into Round of 16, but there is one huge concern

Juventus ensured a safe passage into the Round of 16 at this year’s FIFA Club World Cup with a 4-1 win against Wydad AC in Philadelphia.

After beating Al Ain 5-0 in the opening round of matches in Group G, Juventus sat top of the group ahead of Manchester City on goal difference.

With Juventus set to face City on Thursday, it was vital Juventus used this opportunity to increase their goal difference even more just in case it determines who finishes top and who in theory gets an easier draw.

Against Wydad, Juventus did exactly that with Turkey's Kenan Yildiz producing in a Player of the Match performance.

DAZN News takes a look at the key takeaways from the Old Lady’s win at Lincoln Financial Field.

Juventus vs Wydad AC highlights

Yildiz relishing life at FIFA Club World Cup

Juve forward Kenan Yildiz has grabbed this tournament by the scruff of its neck, taking his tally up to three goals so far.

His first effort is one that will not be forgotten for a long time. Receiving the ball from Andrea Cambiaso on the edge of the Wydad box in the 16th minute, Yildiz struck the ball first time with his effort flying into the top corner to put his side 2-0 up. If this goal is not in the running for Goal of the Tournament, I will be very surprised.

Yildiz then put the game to bed in the second half with Juve’s third after a composed finish in the 69th minute.

The Turkish international could have had a hattrick after opening the scoring in the sixth minute, but this was declared an own goal by Wydad’s Abdelmounaim Boutouil.

Amrabat was Wydad’s shining light

Nordin Amrabat gave Wydad hope as their biggest attacking threat during the match.

The Moroccan set up Thembinkosi Lorch for his goal in the 25th minute, and it was one which Wydad deserved after their direct tactics paid off against a lapse in concentration from Juventus.

This sparked chaos in the stands at Lincoln Financial Field with flares from Wydad’s travelling fans bringing a temporary pause to the game.

Amrabat continued to make things happen for Wydad for the rest of the first half, but the team was unable to capitalise on their dominance and instead allowed Juventus back into the game.

Juventus need better game control if they are to reach the latter stages

Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images

Yes, Juventus have reached the knockout stages with a game remaining, but the ability to control a game needs to be improved.

Going 2-0 up within 20 minutes, it’s a luxury, and against a lesser side such as Wydad, the Italian side should have the know-how and talent to control the game and make it a relatively easy affair before the final whistle.

As previously mentioned, following Lorch’s goal for Wydad to make it 2-1 to Juventus, the Moroccan side were in the ascendency and had Juve on the back foot.

Luckily, Wydad were unable to make it count, and it took a composed finish from Yildiz in the second half to put Juventus back in control. Dusan Vhalovic’s penalty in added time added a fourth to the Serie A giant’s goal tally.

We are likely to get a good indication of how Juventus will fare in this tournament when they face Manchester City on Thursday night, but if Igor Tudor has any hope of lifting the trophy in New Jersey on July 13, his players need to be able to seize the initiative when on top.

There were frequent lapses in concentration which gave Wydad a number of chances, and against the likes of Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane, do not expect any errors in dangerous areas to go unpunished.

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