How Juventus Started FIFA Club World Cup With 5-0 Win Over Al Ain

Forbes

5 hours ago

Randal Kolo Muani scores his second goal against Al Ain FC (Photo by Daniele Badolato - Juventus ... More FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images)
Having waited until Wednesday evening for their first appearance in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, Juventus made up for lost time as they notched a huge 5-0 win over Al Ain in Washington DC.
The 2024 AFC Champions League winners were completely overwhelmed by the Bianconeri, who had an eventful day in the build up to this Group G encounter at Audi Field.
Indeed, prior to facing Al Ain, Juve players, staff and club officials had visited the White House as guests of President Trump, an experience US international Tim Weah later described as 'a bit weird.'
After that it was on to business, Juve boss Igor Tudor – who last week signed a contract extension – naming a strong starting XI as he looked to start the competition with a victory. Yet it would be their opponents who carved out the first scoring opportunity, Al Ain's early pressing leading to a 9th-minute chance for Facundo Zabala that was saved by Michele Di Gregorio.
Just two minutes later, full-back Alberto Costa delivered a pin point cross at the other end, Randal Kolo Muani heading home to give Juve the lead. The Bianconeri dominated the game from that point on, going two goals ahead after some neat skill and a fine finish from Francisco Conceicao.
Another well-taken goal soon followed as Kenan Yildiz controlled a ball from Khephren Thuram before firing beyond the helpless Rui Patricio with a superbly struck effort, Kolo Muani adding a fourth just before half time.
The break seemed to fire some life into Al-Ain, Ramy Rabia seeing a goal disallowed before Di Gregorio sprung to life with a wonderful save to deny Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba from close range.
Juve quickly reestablished their dominance despite a flurry of substitutions that broke the flow of the game, Conceicao bagging his second to push the scoreline out to 5-0. Kolo Muani almost secured a hat trick before former Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz saw a good effort rebound off the post.
Speaking after the game, the Juve boss was happy with what he had seen, but admitted that he will be demanding much more from his squad as they progress in this expanded version of the Club World Cup.
'Al-Ain pushed at the beginning, but we responded in the right way,' Tudor told reporters. 'It's a good result and a good start that gives us confidence. We were good at managing the tempo of the game, also because it was hot.
'We want to go as far as possible in the competition, we are happy with this start.'
'We can still improve significantly in terms of defensive positioning; we need to concede less on counterattacks, but I liked the courage we showed to go forward and score,' he continued. 'We're heading in the right direction; there's always room to improve, but we're on the right path. There's a desire to grow, and over time, the pieces come together.'
Juventus will look to do just that before their next outing, with a few days to prepare for Sunday's encounter with Moroccan side Wydad AC at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.