Juventus came out on top, but it was far from easy. The clash with PSV Eindhoven demanded more than just technical quality — it required grit, focus, and a cold-blooded edge in the key moments. In the end, the Bianconeri left the Allianz Stadium with a 2-1 victory and a crucial advantage in the race for a spot in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.
Follow Playing for 90 on X (Twitter).
It wasn’t total dominance, nor was it a flawless performance, but it was the kind of win that shows progress. Since Thiago Motta took over, Juventus has now strung together three straight victories — something that hadn’t happened under his command until now. And if this team wants to reclaim its place among Europe’s elite, grinding out wins like this is the way forward.
Juventus starts strong and McKennie strikes first
The match kicked off at a blistering pace. Juventus pressed high from the opening whistle, looking to disrupt PSV’s buildup. Just minutes in, McKennie found Kolo Muani in a promising position on the right, but the Dutch defense reacted quickly to cut out the danger. It was a warning shot of what was to come.
The first major chance came at 15 minutes, when Nico González capitalized on a PSV mistake, unleashed a long-range effort, and forced Walter Benítez into a difficult save. The response was immediate, Ismael Saibari tested Di Gregorio moments later, and the Juventus keeper needed two attempts to secure the ball.
The game remained wide open, but Juventus was the team that turned pressure into results. At minute 34, a chaotic scramble in the PSV box saw the ball land at McKennie’s feet. The American midfielder wasted no time, drilling a low shot past Benítez and into the net. The Allianz Stadium erupted. It was a goal that rewarded Juve’s superior first-half performance under Thiago Motta.
Before the break, Juventus had another opportunity to double the lead, again through Nico González. He rose well to meet a corner kick, but his header lacked power and was comfortably collected by Benítez.
PSV fights back, but Juventus responds quickly
Juventus came out for the second half looking to step on the gas. And they almost did. At minute 51, Mbangula connected with a stunning volley inside the box after a cross from Timothy Weah, but Ryan Flamingo was perfectly positioned to clear it off the line.
Then came the setback. At minute 56, Ivan Perisic controlled the ball inside the box, showed his class with a smooth touch, and drilled a precise shot into the near post. Di Gregorio reacted, but it was too late — the ball was already past him. PSV had equalized, flipping the script on the match.
VAR checked the goal, but there was no controversy. The goal stood, and now Juventus had to find a way back in front.
Mbangula delivers the winner for Juventus
The equalizer could have rattled Juventus, but the team remained composed. Thiago Motta made a key attacking change, bringing on Francisco Conceição to inject more pace into the game. The Portuguese youngster immediately made an impact, firing a long-range shot at minute 62, though Benítez handled it with ease.
But Juventus’ pressure eventually paid off. At minute 82, Federico Gatti showed his game awareness, intercepting a pass and quickly releasing Conceição down the wing. The winger charged forward, drove into the box, and sent a low cross toward goal. Benítez managed to parry the first attempt, but Mbangula was in the right place at the right time, reacting quickly to tap the rebound into the net. Juventus 2-1, advantage secured.
In the final minutes, PSV pushed for another equalizer, but Juventus held firm. No unnecessary panic, no reckless defensive retreat. The team controlled possession, ran down the clock, and secured a result that could be vital for their Champions League ambitions.
Thiago Motta’s Juventus is starting to take shape
This marked Juventus’ third consecutive victory under Thiago Motta, something that hadn’t happened since he took charge. Slowly but surely, the Italian coach is shaping his team, implementing a more compact and structured style of play.
Juventus still has weaknesses, particularly in defensive transitions and finishing efficiency. But compared to the team that started the season, the evolution is evident.
McKennie and Mbangula took center stage, but this was a team victory. The squad showed more aggression off the ball, controlled the midfield better, and proved they could be clinical when it mattered most.