The match in Turin proved to be more than just another result in the table: it was a litmus test for Benfica’s ambitions in European competitions and a test for the Ukrainian legionnaires. A 0:2 defeat puts the Lisbon side on the brink of elimination, and for Anatoliy Trubin and Heorhiy Sudakov — it is a signal of how both the club and the market will react.
Match chronology
The first half was relatively balanced — there were no goals, and both teams searched for ways into the opponent’s penalty area. After the break Juventus increased the tempo and pressure, which quickly produced a result: in the 55th minute Thuram scored, and the final score was set in the 64th by David McKennie. The 2:0 score reflected the Italians’ advantage in the key moments of the second half.
Implications for tournament prospects
The defeat significantly complicates Benfica’s chances of advancing from the group. According to reports, the team will have to beat Real Madrid by a large margin in the final round and simultaneously hope for synchronized point losses by at least six rivals — a combination that makes the task practically unforeseeable.
"Now Mourinho's charges need to beat Real by a good margin in the final match and hope for synchronized point losses by at least six rivals."
— UNN
How the Ukrainian legionnaires performed
Anatoliy Trubin played the full match and several times genuinely rescued the team in the first half: winning duels, acting confidently on set pieces and in coming off his line. However, after the break Benfica’s defensive line lost compactness, and Trubin came under a barrage of attacks — the conceded goals were more a consequence of systemic problems than a personal failure by the goalkeeper.
Heorhiy Sudakov was one of the most active in building attacks: dropping deep, looking for options through the middle, and trying to create danger. But Juventus’ intense pressing greatly reduced the available space — many passes did not reach the final third, and attempts to sharpen the play were quickly neutralized.
"Both conceded goals were the result of systemic team mistakes, not individual miscalculations by the Ukrainian."
— UNN
Context and conclusion
This defeat matters not only for the table: it affects players’ market value, the team’s morale and subsequent personnel decisions. Trubin is already spoken of as one of the most prominent Ukrainian goalkeepers abroad — his role at Benfica and performances in matches like this will directly influence the further development of his career and his readiness for the national team.
The question remains: will they in Lisbon turn this defeat into a push for systemic changes — and will our legionnaires themselves respond to the challenge in the coming rounds?
