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How local media reacted to Tottenham loanee Pape Matar Sarr's Juventus display vs Celta Vigo
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- How local media reacted to Tottenham loanee Pape Matar Sarr's Juventus display vs Celta Vigo
Tottenham Hotspur loanee Pape Matar Sarr turned out for Juventus in the Europa League on Thursday.
The 24-year-old joined the Serie A giants on a season-long loan deal from Tottenham this summer.
Juventus do have the obligation to buy the midfielder if certain performance-related conditions are triggered.
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Sarr's Spurs role dwindled somewhat in 2025-26, making just 37 total appearances compared to his 55 in 2024-25.
Now settled in at his new home in Turin, the Senegalese international has already made five appearances for the Bianconeri.
The latest of which came on Thursday night, as Juventus travelled to Spain to take on Celta Vigo in the Europa League.
Why did media agree on Pape Matar Sarr's performance vs Celta Vigo?
A tough assignment for Luciano Spalletti's side, but one that they passed thanks to an added-time winner.
Hugo Alvarez gave the La Liga outfit an early lead, before Newcastle loanee Nick Woltemade equalised on the hour mark.
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It then took former Tottenham striker Randal Kolo Muani to pop up in the 92nd minute to score the winning goal for Juventus, earning them a 2-1 victory.
Sarr played the full 90 minutes in central midfield, and media outlets reporting on the game all waxed lyrical about his performance.
La Gazzetta dello Sport wrote: "At Balaidos, Pape Matar Sarr showed how he can become a key player in the Juventus midfield.
"Very skilled in breaking up and in transition, he needs to improve a little in his finishing, but Spalletti can enjoy his "thoroughbred".
Meanwhile, Goal said: "Sarr provided the physical presence necessary to combat Celta's technical midfield.
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"He covered a vast amount of ground and won several key secondary balls, helping Juventus maintain their 53 per cent possession share throughout the contest."
Finally, Black & White & Read All Over wrote: "His engine in midfield is impressive, and is going to be put to good use on the press.
"Led the team with three interceptions and co-led with just as many tackles. He also made a pair of clearances (again joint-top) and blocked two shots. Six."
So, just how good were Sarr's underlying numbers against Celta Vigo, and do they do his rave reviews justice?
How Pape Matar Sarr will trigger Tottenham transfer as obligation terms revealed Where Sarr led all players in Celta Vigo vs Juventus
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Sarr is still trying to carve out a key role in Juventus' Serie A side, having started just one of his three Italian top-flight games.
However, he's cemented a starting job in Spalletti's Europa League XI, as he's played every minute of Juve's two games in the competition this term.
Per FotMob , no player on the pitch between Celta and Juve took more touches (88) or had more defensive contributions (12) than Sarr.
Meanwhile, he also completed 65 of his 71 pass attempts (92 per cent) successfully, took three shots and played seven passes into the final third.
Sarr made five interceptions, five recoveries, three tackles, two blocks, two clearances, won four ground duels and one of his two in the air.
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Overall then, this was a dominant display by the Tottenham loanee, and one that is sure to only increase his standing in Juventus' team moving forward.
Roberto De Zerbi must be watching on with a feeling of major transfer regret, as his midfield engine room hasn't clicked yet this season.
