Juventus will face NEC Nijmegen in their Europa League opener, recovering from a 3-2 loss to Sassuolo. Thursday’s game at the Allianz Arena marks the first time the Bianconeri have competed in the group/league stages of Europe’s second tier of football since the 2010/11 season.
Luciano Spalletti’s side, plagued by injuries, return to Turin to start their European tour after a horror performance in Emilia-Romagna on Sunday. A heavy defeat on the final day of last season saw Juventus relegated to sixth place, but they can at least take confidence from being considered one of the leading candidates to win this season’s Europa League.
Juventus last lifted this trophy in the early 1990s and have won three UEFA Cup/Europa League titles in total. Despite not dining at Europe’s top tables, the record-breaking Italian champions should be highly motivated to add another continental trophy to their squad and end a three-year drought in European football, having last won the UEFA title in 1996.
NEC have far less experience on the continental stage, with this being only their second appearance in the group/league stages of a major European competition. The last time a Dutch squad reached this moment was in the 2008/09 UEFA Cup. More importantly, they managed to reach the group stage that season, but ultimately lost to Hamburg in the round of 32.
Game preview
Juventus
It has not been an ideal start to Serie A for Juventus, as they have only won two of their first four league games (W2, D1, L1). However, they performed well in Turin. After comfortably defeating Parma 2-0, the Bianconeri equalized in the last minute to hold rival Milan 1-1, consolidating their home record since early March (4 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss).
Looking to win in Europe’s second tier, Juventus couldn’t have chosen a better place to start their Europa League campaign than Turin, having won their last three UEFA matches. However, their historical record against Dutch opponents warrants caution, although they have a slight advantage in these games (ten wins, six draws, seven losses).
Meanwhile, a lack of action in the first half has been a common theme in Juventus’ games this season. Nine of their ten goals in games this season have come after the break, underscoring the potential for an energetic second half. In fact, they only scored one goal in the first half all season.
NEC Nijmegen
NEC failed to make their debut in Europe’s elite club competition despite narrowly beating Olympiacos in the third round of UEFA Champions League qualifying. The Norwegian team Bodo/Glimt swept Dick Schroeder’s team in the qualifying play-offs, scoring three goals in each round and winning with a total score of 6-1.
These defeats formed part of a more ominous performance, with NEC recording just one win in their last six games in all competitions (D1, L4). The visiting team is currently ranked in the middle of the Eredivisie. After losing 0-3 away to Cambre last weekend, their league started poorly (2 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses).
The road to Europe has proven particularly challenging for NEC, as they have lost both away games in this season’s European qualifiers without scoring a goal. On the bright side, they beat Udinese 2-0 in their only previous UEFA match against Italian opponents, suggesting it may not be all plain sailing for Juventus.
Team news
A growing injury list has derailed Juventus’ early season. Captain Manuel Locatelli just underwent knee surgery and may be out until 2027. As well as the Italian midfielder, Spalletti will also lose standout winger Kenan Yildiz and a number of other first-team stars, including Kefren Thuram, Juan Cabal, Jeremy Boga, Jeff Héctor, Andrea Cambiasso and Weston McKennie.
NEC, on the other hand, must contend with the absence of Ahmedkan Kaplan, Develon Fonville, Brian Linson and starting goalkeeper Gonzalo Cretaz. The visitors’ squad is by no means star-studded, but they can still call on former Ajax talisman Dusan Tadic and former Borussia Dortmund pace demon Emre Moore, who is expected to start on the bench.
Juventus vs NEC Nijmegen potential starting lineup
Juventus (4-2-3-1): Grabala; Selik, Lukumi, Gatti, Kalulu; Sarr, Kupminer; Zheglova, Gonzalez, Arabegovic; Waltermade.
NEC Nijmegen (3-4-2-1): Polster; Sandler, Storm, Bra; Tahoy, LeBreton, Nejasmik, Bischoff; Tadic, Chiri; Sethius.
Juventus vs NEC Nijmegen Prediction
Although the first team is missing many key players, Juventus should have no problem taking three points against NEC. It might not be a walk in the park, but the Bianconeri should win on sheer firepower.
Prediction: Juventus wins
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