Turin’s first European night of the campaign brought Juventus both relief and a reminder of their attacking potential, as Luciano Spalletti’s side swept aside NEC Nijmegen 5-0 in the opening round of the Europa League league phase. Shut out of this season’s Champions League after finishing sixth in last year’s Serie A, the Bianconeri answered recent domestic doubts with a ruthless display at home.
A needed response in Turin
The result eased pressure on Spalletti after Juventus had drawn 1-1 with Milan in Turin before losing 3-2 away to Sassuolo on Sunday. Against a NEC side that finished third in the Eredivisie last season but currently sits seventh, Juventus punished almost every defensive mistake offered to them.
- Juventus returned to continental competition through the Europa League after last season’s sixth-place Serie A finish.
- NEC arrived with experienced summer signing Dusan Tadic in their squad.
- Goalkeeper Kamil Grabara made his Juventus debut and was rarely troubled.
- Dirk Schreuder’s Dutch visitors had spells on the ball after half-time, but could not turn possession into meaningful danger.
Grabara’s long ball starts the rout
The breakthrough came after nine minutes from an extraordinary sequence beginning in Juventus’ own penalty area. Grabara launched a long clearance forward, only for NEC goalkeeper Nikolas Polster to misjudge his attempt to meet it outside his box. The ball ran through to Nico González, who had the simple task of rolling it into an unguarded net.
NEC briefly threatened a response when Noe Lebreton brought the ball down in the area and spun to shoot, but his effort was too close to Grabara. The Polish goalkeeper dealt confidently with the attempts that followed, while Juventus continued to find space with alarming ease.
Nick Woltemade first missed a presentable opening, stretching to turn the ball goalwards with his thigh. Juventus did not have to wait long for another chance. Weston McKennie burst down the left and picked out Kerim Alajbegovic, whose unmarked finish made it 2-0 in the 24th minute.
For Alajbegovic, the goal was his first for Juventus. The young Bosnia international then helped create the third, releasing González with a pass through the middle. Almugera Kabar brought down the Argentine from behind, and Woltemade converted the penalty in the 35th minute for his first Juventus goal since joining from Newcastle.
Kolo Muani shapes the late finish
NEC’s second-half possession was patient but slow, and Juventus remained comfortable without needing to force the tempo. The home side instead added two more goals during the closing quarter-hour, with Randal Kolo Muani decisive after coming off the bench.
- In the 75th minute, Kolo Muani drove to the byline after a strong individual run and laid the ball back for Zeki Çelik to score Juventus’ fourth.
- The French forward then struck himself for the final goal of the evening, his first of the season.
The fifth echoed the disorder of the opener. Jhon Lucumí sent a long pass beyond NEC’s high defensive line, Polster again failed in his attempt to intervene outside the area, and Kolo Muani reached the loose ball first before finishing with complete control.
It was an emphatic start to Juventus’ Europa League journey: five goals, a clean sheet and a timely release of tension after a difficult few days in Serie A.
