Juventus vs NEC Nijmegen: Injury-Hit Bianconeri Start UEL

JuventusJUV

Nicolás Iván Gonzalez 9'
Kerim Alajbegovic 24'
Nick Woltemade 35' (pen)
Zeki Çelik 75'
Randal Kolo Muani 82'

UEFA Europa League

5–0

Full Time

HT 3–0

Allianz Stadium

Torino

NEC NijmegenNIJ

AI ForecastsGraded

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Juventus open their League Stage campaign at the Allianz Stadium against a NEC Nijmegen side that has conceded at an alarming rate in recent outings. The hosts will be without midfield anchor Manuel Locatelli, but their underlying numbers—an expected goals against of just 0.42 and over 18 shots per game—signal a side that should dominate. NEC have seen both teams score in 70% of their matches and shipped nearly two goals a game, suggesting they can be opened up. Expect the Dutch visitors to sit deep, but Juventus’ quality out wide and from set pieces should eventually break them down.

Match ResultHome Win68%

Juventus are generating over 1.5 expected goals per game while allowing just 0.42, and they host a NEC side that has lost five of its last ten and conceded nearly two goals per match over that spell.

Win or DrawHome or Draw89%

Juventus are hard to beat at home, losing only once in their last five there, and NEC enter on a three-match winless run that includes just two wins in ten overall on the road.

Total Goals2 or fewer goals52%

Despite NEC’s tendency towards high-scoring games, Juventus’ last five home matches all stayed under three goals, and their low expected goals against suggests they will restrict the visitors to few clear sights of goal.

High-confidence forecasts have landed 74% of the time this season, over 2,080 graded calls. Track record →

Juventus vs NEC Nijmegen: Injury-Hit Bianconeri Start UEL

Published Sat 12 Sept

Juventus welcome NEC Nijmegen to begin their UEFA Europa League league stage campaign on September 17. Luciano Spalletti’s side are navigating a severe injury crisis, while the visiting Dutch outfit arrive hoping to kickstart their season after a slow domestic start.

Juventus Team News and Injury Latest

Luciano Spalletti faces a mounting selection crisis as the Bianconeri prepare for European action. Captain Manuel Locatelli has been ruled out for several months following a serious knee injury sustained against AC Milan, while Jeremie Boga is also sidelined with a torn hamstring. The medical room is further crowded by Khephren Thuram, Kenan Yildiz, Juan Cabal, and Jeff Ekhator.

Andrea Cambiaso remains unavailable until October, though there are minor boosts in midfield; Pape Sarr has returned to group training, and American Weston McKennie is targeting this fixture for his comeback. With options thin, Teun Koopmeiners and Douglas Luiz are expected to shoulder the midfield burden.

Juventus Form Guide

Despite their depleted squad, Juventus have maintained an unbeaten start to their domestic campaign. A dramatic late header from makeshift striker Federico Gatti recently salvaged a 1-1 draw against AC Milan, adding to earlier victories over Frosinone and Parma.

However, Spalletti’s side are misfiring in the final third. Despite registering 55 attempts across their opening fixtures, they have only found the net four times. High-profile attacking additions Nick Woltemade and Randal Kolo Muani are both searching for their first goals in black and white, leaving the Italian giants searching for a reliable attacking formula.

NEC Nijmegen Form and Team News

NEC Nijmegen head into this European tie seeking consistency after a difficult start to their Eredivisie campaign. Rogier Schreuder's side dropped into the Europa League league phase and have struggled domestically, suffering a 3-1 defeat to Feyenoord before requiring a 92nd-minute equaliser from Noe Lebreton to scrape a draw against Excelsior.

The Dutch side have their own fitness issues to navigate, with Sami Ouaissa, Ahmetcan Kaplan, Thomas Ouwejan, and Yassin Moslih all recently sidelined. However, midfielder Darko Nejasmic has provided a bright spark, marking his recent return from injury with a stunning volley against Feyenoord.

A positive result in this opening league phase fixture will be crucial for both clubs as they look to build momentum. Juventus will hope to navigate their injury woes and find their scoring touch, while NEC aim to cause a major upset before returning to domestic duties against Cambuur.

#	Team	P	GD	Pts
1	Juventus	1	5	3
36	NEC Nijmegen	1	-5	0

#	Team	P	GD	Pts
1	Juventus	1	5	3
36	NEC Nijmegen	1	-5	0

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