Rossi: Villarreal ‘favourite’ against Juventus, bud David can ‘inspire’ like Pulisic

Ex-Italy international Giuseppe Rossi feels his former club Villarreal are ‘favourite’ against Juventus tonight, but hopes Jonathan David will ‘inspire the dreams of many North American children’ like Christian Pulisic.

Juventus visit Villarreal in the second round of the league phase of the Champions League tonight.

The Bianconeri have travelled to Spain without two key players, Gleison Bremer and Khephren Thuram, and Rossi feels the Spanish club are favourite to win tonight.

Rossi: Why Villarreal are favourite against Juventus

“Villarreal are the favourites. Ten years ago, I would have never thought that, but that’s the reality in the Champions League,” the former striker told Gazzetta.

“They’re third in La Liga behind Barcelona and Real Madrid. Marcelino has already established consistency in their play, something Tudor is still chasing at Juventus.”

A former Villarreal striker, Rossi was asked which players in the current team are similar to him.

“Gerard Moreno resambles me a bit. Pepé and Buchanan are different, but both are dangerous,” Rossi replied.

“Villarreal’s strengths are their team spirit and their connection with the fans. Juventus will find themselves in the middle of a yellow frenzy at the stadium.”

Juventus can rely on three centre-forwards: Dusan Vlahovic, David and Lois Openda. Igor Tudor hasn’t yet established a clear hierarchy in attack, but Rossi has clear ideas about his favourite pick up front.

“Technically David. Last year, he scored many goals in the Champions League with Lille, but at Juventus, there’s greater pressure,” he said.

“I hope he asserts himself also to inspire the dreams of many North American children, just like Pulisic is doing with his goals at Milan.”

David started the last two Serie A games on the bench and was an unused substitute in the latest league match against Atalanta.

“It’s true that there’s competition at a top club, but for a striker, it’s important to feel trusted and to know that if he misses a chance, he won’t immediately be benched,” Rossi said.

Rossi: Yildiz a future Ballon d’Or contender

The former Italy international concluded by saying that Juventus will need a “super Kenan Yildiz” to beat Villarreal tonight.

“The Turkish player is phenomenal and will be a Ballon d’Or contender in the future. He’s 20 years old, but he plays like a 30-year-old with a hundred Champions League appearances,” Rossi argued.

“I admire his ability to attempt a brilliant play for the good of the team, not just for applause. Juventus are Yildiz plus 10 others. In terms of impact, he’s a bit like Yamal for Barcelona. If Juventus want to get back to the top, they’ll need to add more players like him. They are still under construction, and Tudor is doing an excellent job.”