Juventus vs PSV

Juventus are on the verge of setting an unfortunate Champions League precedent as they prepare to host PSV Eindhoven for the first leg of their playoff clash on Tuesday evening.

Despite showcasing one of the most formidable defensive performances in the league phase, Thiago Motta’s side finished in a disappointing 20th place. Meanwhile, their Dutch counterparts, PSV Eindhoven, comfortably secured a place in the knockouts, finishing 14th in the standings.

While Juventus have retained the pragmatic defensive structure left behind by Massimiliano Allegri, either by design or circumstance, they conceded only seven goals in their eight league-phase matches. This impressive feat placed them among the top defensive sides that did not automatically progress to the round of 16. However, their attacking output left much to be desired, as they only managed to score nine goals—one of the lowest tallies among the top 24 teams in the tournament.

The Bianconeri’s only Champions League victory in their last six outings came in a crucial 2-0 triumph over Manchester City on December 11. Despite ending their group-stage journey with a 2-0 defeat to Benfica, that result ultimately did not affect their standing. However, Juventus have already suffered two home defeats in the tournament this season, including a loss against Stuttgart. A defeat against PSV would mark an unprecedented third home loss in a single Champions League campaign for the club.

Following their loss to Benfica, Juventus have found momentum in Serie A, converting draws into victories. Their domestic campaign gained traction with a convincing 4-1 win over Empoli on February 2, followed by a 2-1 triumph over Como. Their recent resurgence has been fueled by Paris Saint-Germain loanee Randal Kolo Muani, who has quickly endeared himself to the Juventus faithful. The French forward netted twice against Como, including a dramatic 89th-minute winner against Cesc Fabregas’s side. If Juventus secure another victory on Tuesday, they will achieve their first three-match winning streak of the season.

On the other side, PSV Eindhoven entered the final matchday of the Champions League league phase with an outside chance of finishing among the top eight. However, they faced a daunting challenge against an unbeaten Liverpool side. Fortunately for PSV, Liverpool manager Arne Slot fielded a rotated squad, having already secured qualification. Taking full advantage of this opportunity, PSV delighted their supporters by ending Liverpool’s flawless record in the competition with a thrilling 3-2 victory.

Despite their best efforts to break into the top eight, the Dutch giants required an improbable combination of results to achieve that goal. As expected, PSV finished among the eight seeded playoff teams, setting up this high-stakes encounter with Juventus.

However, PSV’s ambitions extend beyond the Champions League, as their domestic campaign is also at a critical juncture. A frustrating 1-1 draw with Willem II on Saturday placed their Eredivisie lead in jeopardy. If Ajax win both of their games in hand, they will surpass PSV at the top of the standings, adding further pressure on Peter Bosz’s squad.

Nonetheless, PSV can draw confidence from their recent form. Their draw against Willem II extended their unbeaten streak to six matches and marked their 11th consecutive game in which they found the back of the net. However, they will be wary of Juventus, who have already bested them once this season. In their first-ever major European meeting, the Bianconeri secured a 3-1 victory over the Dutch side in the league phase.

As both teams prepare for this crucial fixture, Juventus will aim to continue their defensive resilience while sharpening their attacking edge. Meanwhile, PSV will look to leverage their attacking consistency to overcome the Italian giants. With both sides fighting for a coveted place in the next round, Tuesday’s encounter promises to be an intense and closely contested battle.