Jonathan David awkwardly missed an open goal in Juventus’ 2-2 draw against Villarreal on Wednesday and was heavily criticised by Italian sports papers: ‘Indefensible.’
The Canada international has only scored a goal since joining Juventus as a free agent from Lille over the summer, and he wasted a massive chance to score the second goal of his career in Turin last night.
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How David missed an open goal vs. Villarreal
VILLARREAL, SPAIN – OCTOBER 01: Players of Juventus pose for a team photograph prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Villarreal CF and Juventus at Estadio de la Ceramica on October 01, 2025 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
It happened early in the second half, with the Old Lady still 1-0 down.
David latched onto a sharp pass from Francisco Conceiçao but, striking with the wrong foot, somehow failed to convert into an empty net, producing one of the most astonishing misses of the season.
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The Canadia was replaced at minute 86, making room for Dusan Vlahovic.
Italian media strongly criticised David on Thursday.
David’s ratings from Italian sports papers
TURIN, ITALY – AUGUST 24: Jonathan David during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Parma Calcio 1913 at on August 24, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Tuttosport rated the Canada striker 4/10, saying that he was ‘indefensible’ and sarcastically asking: ‘Is it a joke?’
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“It’s impossible to find adjectives,” added the Turin-based paper, “and he should have scored also when he hit the crossbar. Nothing to be saved.”
Gazzetta rated David 5, like Football Italia, saying that it was “hard to understand” how the striker managed to “put the ball out.”
The rating from Corriere dello Sport was 4.5: “The few times he touched the ball, he sent it out or on the crossbar.”
Jonathan David|| Most Underrated Striker⁉️|| FCIMThomas’s Cousin‼️|| Leading Scudetto Charge🫡 pic.twitter.com/w2jG0XCTsM
