All crazy for Iling-Junior, Juventus’ only joy in Lisbon

Iling-Junior, the only light at Da Luz

On a decidedly dark night for Juventus and its fans, who had to give up the Champions League dream back in October, Samuel Iling-Junior lit the only light. The English left back, born in 2003 and chased by Bayern, Borussia Dortmund, and PSG, joined Juve in the summer of 2020 and was promoted from Primavera to Juventus Next Gen, Juventus’ second team playing in Serie C.

Already last league round in the home match against Empoli, with the score settled, Iling made his Serie A debut for a handful of minutes. On Tuesday night Allegri also wanted to launch him in the Champions League, this time in a diametrically opposite situation: the Bianconeri were down 4-1 with twenty minutes to go. And if for a moment hopes were rekindled in the Juve household, the credit is only due to this young man, who entered with the right personality and boldness, with the knowledge that he had nothing to lose.

Iling literally spread panic on the left flank, pointing and jumping his direct opponent often. Thus within minutes he first packed the assist for Milik’s 2-4 goal and then propitiated the 3-4 goal signed by McKennie.

The young Englishman’s talent has certainly not gone unnoticed, Allegri knows that he has a viable new alternative on the left flank, and Iling is looking forward to answering another call from the coach.