Explore the highlights of Juventus’ 3-1 triumph over PSV, featuring standout performances from Yıldız and González that secured a memorable victory for the team.
A Night of History for Juventus
The game that saw Juventus make a comeback to the 2024/25 season UEFA Champions League will always be remembered for many different reasons, but most importantly because of the historic goal young forward Kenan Yıldız bagged. In a match characterized by electric atmosphere, with full voice home fans, Juventus, escorted by their 19-year-old protégé exploded into an explosive start.
Yıldız, with a strike of pure class, was the youngest Juventus player ever to score in the Champions League, an Italian record that dated back 90 years and had been held by the legendary Alessandro Del Piero.
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Yıldız’s Bright Moment
The game against PSV Eindhoven started on all cylinders as two teams sought to carve their mark on the league phase of the tournament. Yıldız took the ball on the left wing, starting his decisive movement. He drifted infield, moving toward the edge of the penalty area. In a moment seen thousands of times in years to come, the young forward curled his shot invitingly and it went in through the top corner in a kiss following the kiss of the post; all hope was taken away from PSV’s goalkeeper Drommel.
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The stadium turned out wild. It was not only because of the beauty of the goal but also the historical value that made everyone go gaga about this young Turkish player. 19 years and 136 days old Yıldız broke Del Piero’s record as the youngest Juventus scorer in the competition. The previous record was taken in 1995 when Del Piero, while then 20 years and 308 days old, scored against Borussia Dortmund.
The Juventus Attack Fires on All Cylinders
Juventus weren’t satisfied with scoring just one. They continued pumping forward and before anyone knew what was happening, they were two goals ahead. Stand tall and agile on the right wing, there was Nicolás González, beating his marker to create space and run into the penalty area. A low cross from him sent a defender away, but he found Weston McKennie, who didn’t even hesitate a moment before striking it past Drommel from around 6 yards out. McKennie then celebrated with what’s now become his signature ‘Harry Potter’ gesture.
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Juve’s quick double did shake PSV severely but the Dutch outfit did not look like folding over. The good approach of the attacking Dutch team ensured that the game was lively; the second half was more intense-looking. However, the composure of Juventus with the new leadership of Thiago Motta kept them in control all through the match.
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González and Vlahović Combine for the Third
In the second half, the Bianconeri continued to assert dominance over their opponents as they played fluidly but unfortunately in little time they have been under Motta’s guidance. A dint of a midfield interception from Juventus led to a quick counterattack. Here, Dušan Vlahović split the PSV defense with a perfectly timed through ball, which González latched onto himself into empty space and coolly slotted past Drommel to make it 3-0. It was the Champs’ League first goal for González, and just as it was the case for Yıldız, he scored on the first day of entry into the competition.
A Late Consolation for PSV
Again, behind by three, the team never gave up and, late in the game, it was given its reward, as the goal by Ismael Saibari finally equalized the game in PSV’s favor. The attacker shot low across the goalkeeper Di Gregorio of Juventus towards the far post, making the score to be 3:1. That was the first goal Juventus conceded during the season, but the victory had already been sealed.
Effect of Thiago Motta
Much of Juventus’ success in this opening game can be pinned to Thiago Motta, who immediately grasped success on his own Champions League debut as club’s manager. The Motta strategy that he utilized included such elements as highly pressing opponents, fast transitions, and wide-based play. His instructions seemed to influence the team with the last tendency taking perfection in the game as people like Yıldız and González had entered it for the first time.
It is astounding how well the team has gelled in such a short period under their new coach, and the performance surely gives hope to the Juventus fans for a bright campaign ahead.
PSV Show They Are No Pushovers
PSV Eindhoven, despite the defeat, flashed moments of that attacking football that has made them a force in domestic competitions. The resolve to fight till the final whistle despite being three goals adrift at one point in the game suggests that they will be a team to watch in this league phase. The consolation goal by Saibari was testament to their resolve, and though they departed the field defeated, they take home very important lessons from this match.
A Promising Start for Juventus
A 3-1 victory for Juventus over PSV Eindhoven will thus give Bianconeri a great kickoff from their 2024/25 UEFA Champions League campaign. Meanwhile, two debutants grabbing two goals from them clearly tells that they are here to compete, and Yıldız’s record-breaking goal of the night will go well in their books. But all in all, the display of the team underlines the fact that Juventus can be strong this year in the competition.