Turkish coaching legend Fatih Terim admits he’s a big fan of Juventus midfielder Kenan Yildiz.

Yildiz and Juve will meet Galatasaray tonight in the first-leg of their Champions League playoff.

Terim told Tuttosport of Yildiz: “A real star, as his last name suggests. I look at him with great pleasure. He is one of the best players not only in Juventus but also in Europe. Some players are born to be stars. Kenan is one of them. I’m glad he extended his contract. I think they needed an icon like him.

“After (Alessandro) Del Piero, which I have enjoyed watching throughout his career, he may be an idol who can meet Juve’s needs in this regard. I don’t know what will happen in the future, but in this period when we change jerseys frequently, I must say that Juve’s position for Kenan is something to be proud of.

“If he continues like this, his career at Juventus could reach Del Piero’s level and become one of the best names in the club’s history, joining legends such as (Michel) Platini, (Zinedine) Zidane, (Gianluigi) Buffon and my dear friend (Pavel) Nedvěd.

“And let’s not forget that he is still very young. He visited me last year and made me very happy. He addressed me as ‘Sir’. I realised that Kenan is not only a good player, but also a very respectful and honest person. I hope he continues to make us proud.”

Brian Roy is delighted for Donyell Malen after his successful start with Roma.

The January arrival from Aston Villa scored twice for Roma in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Napoli.

Former Ajax star Roy, who played in Serie A with Foggia, recalled to TMW: “I coached him for the first time when he was 14 or 15, and what immediately struck me about him was his speed.

“And seeing him on the pitch was scary for his age. He had excellent technique, touch, and shooting. He had it in him. Then there was his mentality: the fact that he came from a truly wonderful family played a role in this.”

Roy also stated: “He’s perfect for Roma and for Italian football, in my opinion. A great team in Italy, it doesn’t matter if it’s not Juventus or Milan, he has this personality that fits perfectly with the Giallorossi.

“It’s truly a great marriage between Malen and Roma. As soon as I heard he could go there, I thought: this deal will work out great. Italy has a culture that suits him perfectly, more so than the English one.”

Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa has called for focus, precision and a complete 90-minute performance as ⁠his side look to settle a score with Benfica in Tuesday’s Champions League playoff first leg.

Fresh from a commanding 4-1 LaLiga win ‌over a Real Sociedad side who had been unbeaten in 11 matches, Real arrive in Lisbon ‌on a three-game winning run under Arbeloa. The Spaniard had been ‌in charge for only two weeks when Madrid were stunned 4-2 by Benfica ‌in last month’s league phase.

That defeat proved costly. With Benfica leading 3-2 ‌but heading out, goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin ventured forward for a free kick and headed in a 98th-minute goal, sending Jose Mourinho’s side through to the playoff round on ‌goal difference with the result denying Real automatic passage ⁠to the last 16.

Arbeloa is under ‌no illusions about the task ahead.

“To win, we will have to play very ​well, and to do that, we will have to do many things right. We will have to defend well and attack well. ​We will have to stay focused on set pieces. And we will have to play a very complete game for 90 minutes,” he told ⁠a press conference on Monday.


The ​former Real defender credited his players for their swift upturn in form since he replaced Xabi Alonso.

“Since I arrived, I have seen a very positive attitude from all the players, and that has been key. In football, it’s ‌much easier to be a manager than a player, because it’s easier to say what needs to be done than to do it.

“So much of the credit must go to the players. To their effort and hard work. The good results come thanks to the players we have, who prepare for every match as if it were a final. And with that mentality, that high standard, good results are coming. But we are confident that we can go even further.”

Arbeloa also expects a familiar edge from ‌a Benfica side led by his former mentor and ex-Real Madrid manager ​Mourinho.

“One thing is clear: their spirit will be very similar to three ‌weeks ago. They have a leader (in Mourinho) who sets the tone, the way they play and compete,” Arbeloa said.