Juventus vs. PSV Eindhoven | Champions League | Knockout Round Playoffs | 1st Leg | Pre Match

At risk of suffering an unwanted first in the Champions League, Juventus host PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of their playoff battle on Tuesday evening. The Italian giants find themselves in an unfamiliar position, struggling to assert their dominance on the European stage. Despite their storied history in the competition, Juventus have endured a challenging campaign, and their current predicament raises questions about their ability to navigate the high-stakes knockout phase. The visit of PSV Eindhoven, a side that has shown resilience and tactical acumen throughout the group stages, presents a significant hurdle for the Bianconeri.

Despite being one of the best-performing defensive sides in the league phase, Thiago Motta's men could only place 20th, while their Dutch opponents safely sealed a knockout berth in 14th spot. The defensive solidity exhibited by Juventus has been commendable, but their inability to convert opportunities into goals has ultimately been their downfall. Motta’s tactical approach, which mirrors the pragmatic philosophy of his predecessor Massimiliano Allegri, has ensured that Juventus remain difficult to break down. However, their attacking frailties have left them vulnerable to setbacks, a weakness that could prove costly in the high-pressure environment of the knockout rounds.

Carrying on the pragmatic legacy of Massimiliano Allegri - whether intentional or not - Juve boss Motta witnessed the Old Lady ship just seven goals in their eight league phase matches, the second-best defensive record of all teams who failed to directly qualify for the last 16. While their defensive discipline has been a key feature of their campaign, it has not been enough to compensate for their struggles in front of goal. The Bianconeri only managed to find the back of the net nine times themselves - the joint-second worst record of the top-24 teams - a concerning statistic that underscores their offensive shortcomings. The lack of clinical finishing has hindered their progress, and if they are to overcome PSV Eindhoven, they must find a way to be more decisive in the final third.

A 2-0 win over Manchester City on December 11 remains Juventus' only victory from their last six Champions League matches. While that triumph against the reigning Premier League champions was an impressive feat, it stands as an isolated success in an otherwise underwhelming run. The inconsistency in their performances has prevented them from building momentum, and their inability to string together positive results has placed them in a precarious position. A 2-0 defeat to Benfica on the final matchday proved inconsequential in terms of their qualification, but it served as another reminder of their vulnerability. Adding to their woes, a home loss to Stuttgart earlier in the competition means that Juventus could now suffer three home defeats in a single Champions League campaign for the first time in their illustrious history.

Since going down to the Portuguese giants, Juventus have belatedly started turning draws into wins in Serie A, easing past Empoli 4-1 on February 2 before edging out Como 2-1 on Friday thanks to their new French hero. The resurgence in their domestic form has offered a glimmer of hope, as they look to translate their league success into European triumphs. Paris Saint-Germain loanee Randal Kolo Muani has emerged as a pivotal figure for the Bianconeri, with his recent goal-scoring exploits providing a much-needed boost. His brace against Como, including an 89th-minute winner, showcased his ability to make a decisive impact, and Juventus will be banking on his attacking prowess to propel them past PSV.

Upcoming visitors PSV Eindhoven were not mathematically out of contention for the top-eight spots heading into the final matchday, where Peter Bosz's men faced the most daunting home contest on the menu against a hitherto perfect Liverpool side. With the Reds' qualification already sealed, Arne Slot rang the changes for his Netherlands homecoming, much to the delight of the Eindhoven faithful as PSV ended Liverpool's 100% record in the 2024-25 competition with an absorbing 3-2 success. That statement victory demonstrated PSV’s ability to rise to the occasion, and it reinforced their credentials as a dangerous opponent for any side in the knockout rounds.

While the Dutch titans did everything in their power to crack the top eight on the last matchday, it would have taken a ridiculous set of results to go their way for that scenario to have materialized, and Tuesday's visitors unsurprisingly wound up in one of the eight seeded playoff positions. Despite missing out on direct qualification to the last 16, PSV have shown remarkable tenacity and have the potential to cause an upset against Juventus. Their attacking approach, characterized by fluid movement and incisive passing, has made them a formidable unit, and they will be eager to exploit any defensive lapses from their Italian counterparts.

However, PSV might have more pressing matters at hand than a fanciful run to Champions League glory, as Saturday's disappointing 1-1 draw with Willem II means that Bosz's men will be usurped by a resurgent Ajax at the top of the Eredivisie table if the Amsterdam giants win both of their games in hand. The domestic title race is heating up, and PSV find themselves in a precarious position, balancing their European aspirations with the demands of their domestic campaign. The draw against Willem II highlighted their vulnerability against lower-ranked opposition, raising concerns about their ability to maintain consistency. Nevertheless, that stalemate at least stretched PSV's unbeaten run to six matches and their scoring streak to 11 games in all competitions, an encouraging sign as they prepare to face Juventus.

Injured in the first half of Juve's home defeat to Benfica last time out in the Champions League, defender Pierre Kalulu is yet to return from that muscular problem and is one of five concerns for Motta to manage ahead of the first leg. ACL victims Bremer and Juan Cabal remain sidelined, while striker Arkadiusz Milik is not expected back from a calf issue until next month, and defender Andrea Cambiaso - whose agent confirmed was the subject of interest from Manchester City in January - is nursing an ankle problem. The injury crisis has left Juventus with limited options, particularly in defense, and Motta will need to find solutions to compensate for the absence of key personnel.

Friday's win over Como saw Newcastle United loanee Lloyd Kelly make his Juve debut as a half-time substitute for Nicolo Savona, but Motta should stick with the latter from the first whistle in Europe. Savona has been a reliable presence in the backline, and his experience could prove invaluable in a high-pressure encounter against PSV. However, the Italian giants will need to ensure that their defensive solidity does not come at the expense of their attacking ambitions, as they cannot afford to be overly cautious against a team as dynamic as PSV.

As for PSV, Bosz may find himself in a defensive quandary after Adamo Nagalo was taken off injured in the weekend's draw with Willem II, an untimely blow with Olivier Boscagli also nursing a muscular problem. Defensive stability will be crucial for PSV if they are to contain Juventus' attacking threats, and the absence of key defenders could leave them exposed. However, Ryan Flamingo is back from a Champions League ban and can slot into the heart of defense alongside Armando Obispo if need be, while Manchester United-owned Tyrell Malacia was immediately drafted into the first XI against Willem II but may now make way for Mauro Junior. The defensive reshuffling could disrupt PSV’s rhythm, but they will be looking to their experienced players to step up in this crucial encounter.

Malik Tillman (ankle), Ricardo Pepi (knee), and Richard Ledezma (head) are also missing for the Rood-Witten, who are skippered by evergreen 34-year-old striker Luuk de Jong, already on 14 goals for the season in all tournaments. De Jong’s leadership and goal-scoring ability will be pivotal for PSV, as they aim to secure a positive result in Turin. The Dutch outfit have proven their ability to compete against elite opposition, and they will fancy their chances of springing a surprise against a Juventus side that has yet to fully convince in Europe this season.