Juventus: Fans Furious Over Mbangula—Hat Trick Against Milan Sparks Controversy

Samuel Mbangula sends San Siro into a frenzy, leads Bologna to victory over Milan, and reopens an old wound at Juventus. The Belgian star’s hat trick has sparked regret among Juventus fans, who are once again discussing his transfer to Werder Bremen for just 10 million euros—a decision that now risks weighing heavily on the club.

There are nights that can change a player’s career. And then there are performances that risk turning into a nightmare for those who decided to let him go. Samuel Mbangula’s performance at San Siro falls into both categories.

The Belgian winger, born in 2004, was the undisputed star of Bologna’s sensational victory on Milan’s home turf. Three goals, a devastating performance, and a 4-2 victory that bears the mark of the young talent who came up through Juventus’ youth academy.

A hat trick destined to go down in history. Before Mbangula, in fact, only Gabriel Batistuta had managed to score three goals against Milan at San Siro in a Serie A match—on September 26, 1998, while playing for Fiorentina. An extraordinary feat that, inevitably, reignites the debate among Juventus fans.

The question many Juventus fans are asking is simple: why let him go so soon?

In the summer of 2025, Juventus decided to sell Mbangula to Werder Bremen for 10 million euros, plus an additional 2 million in potential bonuses. A move that, at the time, was also driven by the need to raise funds, but which today takes on a decidedly different perspective.
After all, the Belgian had already demonstrated significant talent during his time with the first team. In the 2024–25 season, he had made 32 appearances and scored 4 goals, earning a spot in the lineup first under Thiago Motta and later under Igor Tudor.
Speed, personality, the ability to beat defenders one-on-one, and a talent yet to be fully developed. These qualities had sparked hope among Juventus fans.

Yet his time in Turin ended after just one season with the first team. His performance at San Siro now risks turning that transfer into one of the most talked-about regrets of recent years. Because seeing a product of their own youth academy score three goals against Milan—while wearing another team’s jersey—cannot leave Juventus fans indifferent.

The issue isn’t just about the financial value of the deal, but above all about the management of young talent. Mbangula was one of the most promising prospects to emerge from Juventus’ youth academy and could have continued his development in Turin.
Of course, a hat trick isn’t enough to determine whether Juventus made a definitive mistake. But it’s equally clear that a performance like this fuels doubts and questions about the club’s decisions. And above all, about the price of his departure. After leaving Juventus, Mbangula chose the Bundesliga to continue his development.

With Werder Bremen, he made 28 appearances and scored 3 goals, gaining valuable experience that helped him regain consistency and confidence. The player himself had explained how the move away from Turin had helped him shake off the pressure that had built up during his first season with the Bianconeri.

At Juventus, after a surprising start, expectations of him had grown rapidly, eventually turning into a fear of making mistakes. Then came the call from Bologna.

Giovanni Sartori recognized the player’s potential and decided to bring him back to Serie A via a paid loan worth 2 million euros, with an option to buy set at 12.5 million. A gamble that, after the night at San Siro, looks increasingly promising.

The hat trick against Milan doesn’t erase the financial and technical reasons that led to the Belgian’s transfer. But it raises a question that Juventus cannot ignore: how much playing time is actually given to homegrown young players?

Mbangula had already shown significant quality. Perhaps he needed time, confidence, and consistency to complete his development.
In Bologna, under the guidance of Raffaele Palladino, he is seeking exactly that. And while the Rossoblù club is enjoying its new star, a nagging question remains at Juventus.