Juventus prepares to face PSV Eindhoven today at 21:00 CET in the first leg of their Champions League playoff at the Allianz Stadium in Turin. Following their successful encounter earlier this season, where the Bianconeri triumphed 3-1, this matchup serves as an opportunity for Juventus to progress to the round of 16, with the return leg scheduled for February 19.
The stakes are high as Juventus aims for redemption after finishing 20th during the group stage, not directly qualifying for the knockout rounds. PSV Eindhoven, on the other hand, sits at 14th place and hopes to leverage their position for advancement. The match’s kickoff is set for 21:00, officiated by referee Daniel Siebert.
For fans wanting to catch the action, the match will be broadcast exclusively on Sky Sports channels. Viewers can tune in via Sky Sport Uno, Sky Sport 4K, and Sky Sport (channel 252), also available for streaming on the NOW platform. Commentary will come from the skilled duo of Stefano Borghi and Giancarlo Marocchi, with additional insights from analysts including Alessandro Del Piero and Fabio Capello on the Champions League Show before the match.
Historically, this encounter marks only the second time the two teams meet at the European level, which began with Juventus’s previous victory. Notably, Juventus has fared well against Dutch opponents, winning seven of their last eleven matchups. Conversely, PSV has struggled against Italian sides, failing to secure victories in their last five contests.
Juventus will be fielding their likely squad of Di Gregorio; Weah, Gatti, Veiga, and Savona; along with Locatelli and Douglas Luiz controlling the midfield. The attacking front features Conceiçao, McKennie, and Yildiz supporting forward Kolo Muani, who brings notable form with five goals over three matches.
PSV, managed by Peter Bosz, will line up with Drommel; Karsdorp, Schouten, Flamingo, and Mauro Junior; Veerman and Salibari handling midfield duties, paired with Bakayoko, Til, and Perisic behind lone striker De Jong. This blend of talent suggests both teams are prepared for combat, raising the anticipation among fans and pundits alike.
Conditions might reflect Juventus's advantageous home ground, especially considering their past performance against PSV, pushing them to capitalize on this match. Recent results indicate Juventus is riding high with consecutive wins. PSV, meanwhile, has faltered slightly, drawing their last match against Willem II and struggling for consistency with just one victory from their recent five fixtures.
Bookmakers are favoring Juventus, with odds reflecting their potential to win at around 1.92, whereas PSV's chances stand higher at about 4.0. Predictions suggest the likelihood of Juventus obtaining at least one goal and seizing control to set the stage for the return match.
Fans will gather at the stadium, heavily relying on the duo telecasting the match, who are expected to provide vivid commentary and detailed insights throughout the event. The anticipation surrounding Juventus's need for redemption highlights this as more than just another playoff match—it's about securing their place among Europe’s elite.
With the match bearing significant weight for both clubs, only time will reveal which team will take the decisive step closer to Champions League glory.