{"id":538747,"date":"2019-12-22T14:00:44","date_gmt":"2019-12-22T19:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=538747"},"modified":"2019-12-22T14:00:44","modified_gmt":"2019-12-22T19:00:44","slug":"report-juventus-striker-mario-mandzukic-set-to-leave-for-qatar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2019\/12\/22\/report-juventus-striker-mario-mandzukic-set-to-leave-for-qatar\/","title":{"rendered":"Report: Juventus Striker Mario Mandzukic Set to Leave for Qatar"},"content":{"rendered":"

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano<\/a>, Juventus<\/a> striker Mario Mandzukic<\/a> is set to join Qatari club Al-Duhail.<\/p>\n

REPORT: Juventus Striker Mario Mandzukic Set To Leave For Qatar<\/h2>\n

Mario Mandzukic Has Fallen out of Favour at Juventus<\/h3>\n

The arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo<\/a> in 2018 has seen Mario Mandzukic fall out of favour at Juventus. The 33-year-old is yet to make an appearance so far this season.<\/p>\n

Having joined in 2015, the Croatian has always faced competition up front. However, he has often seen off the competition – or been rotated with Paulo Dybala<\/a> – to make more than appearances in each of his last four seasons in Italy.<\/p>\n

However, the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo saw a significant reduction in his playing time last season. Mandzukic made just 33 appearances in total, scoring 10 times, maintaining his record of reaching double figures in every season with Juventus.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, another reason for the Croatian falling out of favour is Juventus’ change in manager. Maurizio Sarri has preferred to use Gonzalo Higuain<\/a> as the spearhead of his attack, leaving no space for Mandzukic.<\/p>\n

Juventus may miss the strength-in-depth, however. They currently sit level on points with Inter Milan at the top of Serie A, in a battle that looks set to last the entire season. As a result, Mandzukic may have been a useful addition to call on.<\/p>\n

Al-Duhail Challenge<\/h3>\n

Mario Mandzukic was linked with a move to Manchester United<\/a> at one point, according to Sky Sports<\/a>. However, they have been exploring alternative targets to Mandzukic. As a result, Mandzukic has decided to make the move to Qatar.<\/p>\n

Al-Duhail currently sit top of the Qatar Stars League, the top-flight in Qatar. They are managed by Jose Mourinho’s former assistant, Rui Faria.<\/p>\n

If Mandzukic makes the move, he will be joining former Juventus team-mate Mehdi Benatia<\/a>. Benatia made the move to Qatar in January in an \u20ac8 million deal.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

\n
Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n