Juventus overcame PSV Eindhoven 2-1 on February 11, 2025, at the Allianz Stadium, with Samuel Mbangula scoring the late winner. This hard-fought victory puts the Bianconeri in the driver's seat heading to the second leg of their Champions League playoff, set to take place on February 19, at Philips Stadion.
The evening commenced brightly for Juventus as Weston McKennie opened the scoring with a spectacular half-volley, giving his team the lead just before halftime. McKennie, known for his powerful strikes, capitalized on Federico Gatti's persistence near the penalty area, launching the ball high past PSV goalkeeper Walter Benitez.
PSV, undeterred by the early setback, quickly shifted their tempo and found the equalizer through Ivan Perisic, who converted with impressive finesse shortly after the second half kicked off. The former Inter Milan player received the ball after what some claimed was a handball by Noa Lang, but VAR cleared the incident, allowing the goal to stand.
Juve's breakthrough came late when Samuel Mbangula netted his first-ever Champions League goal, which proved to be the winner. Entering the field as a substitute at halftime, Mbangula remained active throughout and pounced on the loose ball after Benitez was unable to control Francisco Conceicao's low cross, slotting it home just eight minutes before the final whistle.
Despite the win, Mbangula expressed dissatisfaction with his overall performance, stating, "It’s true the victory was important today for our consistency... but I’m not happy with the way I played today." He acknowledged the need for improvement, adding, "I know when we concede we must continue playing the way we did before... we can score many more goals."
Analyzing the game, it was clear Juventus controlled the early stages, testing Benitez frequently. Players like Timothy Weah and Randal Kolo Muani started strong but failed to find the back of the net—complementing McKennie's opening strike rather than extending it.
Perisic's equalizer seemed to energize PSV, who briefly dominated possession afterward. The atmosphere shifted, with Juventus showing signs of nervousness as they struggled to respond to the equalizer. Mbangula's goal was not only pivotal for Juve's morale but also reflected the team's capacity to rally under pressure.
Juventus now carries the slender advantage of this win moving forward. Coach Thiago Motta's youngest starting lineup for the knockout round displayed potential but highlighted the recurring issue of losing composure when facing equalizers—a problem Mbangula himself articulated, emphasizing the squad's need to remain composed under pressure.
The anticipation for the second leg is palpable, with the prospect of encountering either Inter Milan or Arsenal waiting after this playoff. Juventus’ challenges are double-edged; maintaining the momentum from this win must coincide with correcting the unsettled nature revealed against PSV’s aggression.
For the young talent Mbangula, the experience of scoring on this grand stage highlighted his readiness for the challenges of European football, even if his expectations for himself remain high. "It's difficult to be happy when you know you weren't good enough," he remarked thoughtfully after the match, summing up the duality of joy and disappointment for high-achieving athletes.
Overall, the encounter not only showcased the ambition of Juventus to reclaim their status among Europe's elite but also served as a reminder of the competitive spirit embedded within Champions League play. With one foot slightly forward, Juventus now turns its eyes toward Eindhoven, hopeful but aware of the potential challenges lurking just ahead.