Juventus secured a vital 2-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of their Champions League play-off, leaving them in a strong position ahead of next week’s return fixture in the Netherlands. The Italian side will progress to the last 16 if they avoid defeat in Eindhoven, having taken a crucial lead at the Allianz Stadium.
Weston McKennie opened the scoring in the 34th minute with a powerful strike under the crossbar after a determined effort from defender Federico Gatti. However, PSV fought back, with former Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic equalising in the 54th minute, curling a left-footed effort into the bottom corner. Juventus restored their lead eight minutes from time when Belgian forward Mbangula reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box, securing his first Champions League goal and sending the home crowd into celebration.
The victory marks Juventus’ second win over PSV in just five months, having beaten the Dutch side in the group stage. Although Thiago Motta’s team struggled at times, they showed resilience and determination to grind out the result. While defensive lapses were evident, the contribution of players such as McKennie and Gatti proved crucial, while Mbangula’s impact off the bench was decisive.
Motta opted for a reshuffle in midfield, recalling Douglas Luiz in place of Teun Koopmeiners, while Kelly was handed his first start at left-back. Randal Kolo Muani, in excellent form with five goals in his last three matches, kept Dusan Vlahovic on the bench once again. PSV, missing key players including former Roma defender Rick Karsdorp, fielded an attacking trio of Perisic, Noa Lang, and Luuk de Jong.
Juventus started brightly, putting early pressure on the visitors. Timothy Weah’s cross-shot tested goalkeeper Walter Benitez, while Nico Gonzalez also saw an effort saved. PSV gradually grew into the match, with Ismael Saibari firing over from a clearance and Olivier Boscagli and Armando Obispo both missing close-range chances. However, it was Juventus who broke the deadlock, with McKennie finishing emphatically after a chaotic build-up involving Gatti and Kolo Muani. The home side took a deserved 1-0 lead into the break.
Motta introduced Mbangula for Kenan Yildiz at half-time, a change that would prove pivotal. The young forward made an immediate impact, nearly scoring within minutes, only for defender Jenson Seelt to make a crucial intervention. Despite Juventus’ early second-half control, PSV found an equaliser in the 54th minute. Perisic expertly controlled a pass before firing a low left-footed shot past Michele Di Gregorio, punishing a lapse in Juventus’ defence.
In response, Motta made further attacking substitutions, introducing Francisco Conceição, Marcus Thuram, Koopmeiners, and eventually Vlahovic. PSV defended resolutely and looked set to hold out for a draw, but Juventus finally found a breakthrough in the 82nd minute. Conceição whipped in a dangerous cross that Benitez failed to hold, and Mbangula pounced to score, sending the stadium into rapturous celebrations.
The win puts Juventus in a commanding position ahead of the second leg in Eindhoven, where a draw will be enough to see them progress to the knockout stages. While PSV showed resilience, they now face an uphill battle against a Juventus side determined to reclaim its place among Europe’s elite.
