Juventus began their international campaign with the kind of controlled evening that can settle a travelling side quickly. Against NEC, the Turin club found an early route into the match when a player recently called up by his national team punished a severe mistake in the Dutch side’s defensive line.
The error left Juventus with the opening goal, and the 1-0 strike set the direction for what became a perfect first outing on the continental stage. For NEC, the lapse was costly; for Juventus, it provided the platform needed to make their debut beyond Italy a successful one.
A decisive Dutch defensive lapse
NEC’s back line failed to deal with the situation, allowing the Juventus international to take advantage and put the visitors ahead. That moment separated the teams and helped steer Juventus through their first international fixture with the desired result.
