Kenan Yıldız
Lively cameo off bench
Yildiz (calf) recorded six shots (zero on goal), two crosses (zero accurate) and one chance created in Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Australia.
Analysis: Yildiz checked in at halftime for Baris Yilmaz and instantly gave Turkiye's attack a spark, firing six shots (none on target) while finding pockets of space between Australia's lines with the kind of direct, aggressive play that had been missing in the first half. His introduction was widely viewed as the turning point that transformed Turkiye from predictable to dangerous going forward, though Patrick Beach and Australia's defense ultimately stood tall. Yildiz wrapped up the Juventus campaign with 11 goals and nine assists in 46 appearances, and coach Vincenzo Montella is expected to hand him a spot in the starting XI against Paraguay as Turkiye looks to get its World Cup qualifying push back on track.
Completes full training session
Yildiz (calf) recovered from injury and completed the full training session with the team, according to NTVSpor.
Analysis: Yildiz is the biggest question mark in Turkey's starting lineup ahead of their World Cup opener against Australia. The forward had been training separately for the past few days following a calf injury with Juventus and only rejoined the group in team training today. With the game just around the corner, coach Vincenzo Montella faces a difficult call on whether to throw him straight into the starting eleven or ease him in from the bench.
Continues partial training
Yildiz (calf) trained with his teammates to begin training before continuing to individual work, according to Haberler.com.
Analysis: Yildiz is still in recovery and still has Turkish fans holding their breath a few days before their opener, as he is yet to join team training for a full session. He would join them to begin training Friday when the press was allowed at the session, but was then taken out for individual training to end the day, still unable to train fully. The positive news is that he is still trending in the right direction, with no setbacks taking place. His availability for the opener then remains in the air, likely to be a key part of the team once fit.
Trains partially with team
Yildiz (calf) trained partially with the Turkiye squad on Wednesday, beginning the session separately before joining a friendly training game for tactical work, marking an encouraging step forward in his recovery ahead of the World Cup opener against Australia on June 14, according to the Turkish federation.
Analysis: Yildiz had been training individually in recent days, making his partial reintegration into group sessions a significant development with the tournament just days away. The Juventus attacker ended the club season with 11 goals, nine assists and 94 chances created across 46 appearances, and coach Vincenzo Montella will be hopeful that Wednesday's positive session signals he will be available from the first fixture of Turkiye's World Cup against Australia on June 14.
Still training separately
Yildiz (calf) continues to train separately from the Turkiye squad during their preparation session in Arizona, with his availability for the World Cup opener against Australia on June 14 now a genuine concern, according to AA Spor.
Analysis: Yildiz had been expected to rejoin the team imminently after coach Vincenzo Montella expressed optimism about his return, making his continued individual training a worrying development with the tournament just days away. The Juventus star ended the club season with 11 goals, nine assists and 94 chances created across 46 appearances, and Turkiye will be desperate to have one of their most important attacking weapons available from the first fixture of their World Cup campaign.
Close to join team
Yildiz (calf) is close to join team training, according to coach Vincenzo Montella and is expected to be one of Turkey's most important attacking weapons throughout the World Cup, according to NTV Spor. "Kenan will also start to join us."
Analysis: Yildiz ended the club season with 11 goals, nine assists, 122 shots and 94 chances created across 46 Juventus appearances, and will head into the tournament as one of the most exciting young attackers in the competition alongside compatriot Arda Guler. Turkey's opener against Australia on June 14 should give him a prime opportunity to make an immediate impact, and he should be fit for the match.
Seen in full shape in training
Yildiz (calf) has been confirmed fully fit by coach Vincenzo Montella after being seen in excellent shape during Turkey's national team training session. "I saw Arda in great shape, just like Kenan."
Analysis: Yildiz had missed Juventus' derby against Torino with a mild calf injury, raising some concern over his availability for Turkey's World Cup opener, but the coach's positive assessment is a significant relief heading into the tournament. The young star ended the club season with 11 goals, nine assists, 122 shots and 94 chances created across 46 appearances for Juventus, and will head into the World Cup as one of the most exciting young attackers in the competition alongside compatriot Arda Guler in what promises to be a dangerous Turkish attacking lineup.
Puts up numbers versus Fiorentina
Yildiz created three scoring chances and registered four shots (two on goal), six crosses (four accurate) and one corner in Sunday's 2-0 loss versus Fiorentina.
Analysis: Yildiz was more productive than in his previous four displays, leading his team in deliveries, and produced the most threatening shot by his side, but he didn't break through. He last contributed ot a goal in late March. He has sent in at least one cross in four consecutive tilts, racking up 15 (five accurate) and adding five key passes, 10 corners and 10 tackles (eight won) during that stretch. Additionally, this marked his third game on the trot with multiple shots, for a total of eight (two on target).
Subs in late in Bologna contest
Yildiz (knee) recorded six passes and no other stats in 18 minutes in Sunday's 2-0 win against Bologna.
Analysis: Yildiz was inserted late because of a lingering knee ailment and helped manage the lead, but Juventus had stopped pushing at that point. He didn't create a chance for the first time in 12 fixtures. He has scored and assisted once and logged nine attempts (five on target) and 13 crosses (four accurate) in the last five rounds.
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