Juventus duo could teach defending at Harvard – Jose Mourinho

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has admitted Juventus’ centre-backs Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini could give lessons on how to defend.

The Red Devils lost 1-0 at home to Juventus in the Champions League on Tuesday, the second-consecutive game in the competition in which United have failed to score.

Juventus took the lead after 20 minutes through Paolo Dybala and held on from there, dealing well with whatever United threw at them, while threatening to grab a second with David de Gea having to save well to deny Cristiano Ronaldo.

And despite Juventus’ talent in attack on the night, Mourinho was more in awe of their centre-back pairing.

READ MORE: The winners and losers from Man Utd’s 1-0 defeat to Juventus

“Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, they could go to Harvard University to give classes about how to be a central defender,” he told reporters (via BBC Sport).

“Quality in football is everywhere. When I say quality I don’t just say creative players – Chiellini and Bonucci, it is absolutely beautiful to see.”

The defeat for United sees them five points behind the Old Lady in Champions League Group H with three games left to play, meaning Mourinho’s men will likely now be focussing on battling Valencia for second place.

It also meant United have now won just one of their past seven games across all competitions, a run which includes three defeats and three draws.

Bonucci and Chiellini teach United a lesson

Despite playing at home on Tuesday, Manchester United managed just six shots compared to Juventus’ 14, with only two on target. This was largely down to the defensive influence of Bonucci and Chiellini.

The centre-back pair won six aerial duels between them (three each), with only Romelu Lukaku (five) managing more throughout the match.

Chiellini made more clearances than any other player on the pitch with seven, while Bonucci also had the third-most touches on the pitch and more than any United player.

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