UEFA Europa League Gameweek 1
Juventus 5 - 0 FT NEC Nijmegen
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
9' Nicolás Iván Gonzalez (Kamil Grabara)
24' Kerim Alajbegovic (Weston McKennie)
↓ Clement Bischoff ↑Dennis Geiger 32'
35' Nick Woltemade
↓ Almugera Kabar ↑Jamiro Monteiro 45'
HT
Jamiro Monteiro 52'
60' ↓ Weston McKennie ↑Gleison Bremer
61' ↓ Douglas Luiz Soares ↑Teun Koopmeiners
61' ↓ Nicolás Iván Gonzalez ↑Francisco Conceicao
↓ Philippe Sandler ↑Perr Schuurs 67'
71' ↓ Kerim Alajbegovic ↑Randal Kolo Muani
75' Zeki Çelik (Randal Kolo Muani)
↓ Noe Lebreton ↑Kevin Kers 78'
↓ Bryan Linssen ↑Bram Nuytinck 79'
82' Randal Kolo Muani (Jhon Lucumi)
83' ↓ Nick Woltemade ↑Augusto Owusu
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Juventus
Goalkeepers
Kamil Grabara 
ARCHITECT
1
Key Passes
1
Key Passes
1
Assists
43%
Pass Acc
Defenders
Pierre Kalulu 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Federico Gatti 
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
3
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Jhon Lucumí
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
1
Assists
70%
Pass Acc
Midfielders
Zeki Çelik 
CLOSER
1
Late Goals
1
Late Goals
0
Late Assists
75
Minute
Douglas Luiz
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
61
Total Mins
61
Entry
Pape Matar Sarr 
MAGNET
61
Activity
61
Activity
52
Passes
9
Duels
Weston McKennie 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
1
Key Passes
7.1
Rating
Nicolás González 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Kerim-Sam Alajbegović
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Forwards
Nick Woltemade
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
6
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
BENCH
Carlo Pinsoglio 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Guglielmo Vicario
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Gleison Bremer
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
30
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Teun Koopmeiners
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
29
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Augusto Owusu
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
7
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Filippo Pagnucco
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Francisco Conceição
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
29
Total Mins
Started
Entry
D. Elimoghale
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Randal Kolo Muani
CLOSER
1
Late Goals
1
Late Goals
0
Late Assists
75
Minute
NEC Nijmegen
Goalkeepers
Nikolas Polster
PROVOCATEUR
1
Fouls Won
1
Fouls Won
2
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Defenders
Tobias Storm
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Philippe Sandler
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
67
Total Mins
67
Entry
Almugera Kabar 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
50%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
Clement Bischoff
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
32
Total Mins
32
Entry
Darko Nejašmić
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
63%
Pass Acc
Noe Lebreton
LATE SHIFT
12
Late Mins
12
Late Mins
78
Total Mins
78
Entry
Ayodele Thomas 
SWEEPER
3
Cleanups
3
Cleanups
3
Interceptions
0
Blocks
Tjaronn Chery
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
41%
Pass Acc
Dušan Tadić
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Forwards
Bryan Linssen 
STORMTROOPER
4
Shots
4
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
BENCH
Joep Geneste
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Freek Entius
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Gabriel Brás
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Yassin Moslih
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Bram Nuytinck
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Perr Schuurs
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
23
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Dennis Geiger
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
58
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jamiro Monteiro
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Willum Willumsson
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kevin Kers
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kaj Sierhuis
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
League Standings
League Standings
P: 2 GD: +6
P: 2 GD: +6
P: 2 GD: +5
P: 2 GD: +4
P: 2 GD: +4
P: 2 GD: +4
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: -5
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: -4
P: 2 GD: -4
P: 2 GD: -5
P: 2 GD: -5
P: 2 GD: -5
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Juventus
NEC Nijmegen
Juventus
NEC Nijmegen
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Five-Star Juventus Send Shockwaves Through Europe
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 41/100. Juventus delivered a ruthless attacking masterclass, punishing NEC Nijmegen’s defensive frailties to make a resounding opening statement.
The Early Onslaught
The Allianz Stadium demanded a response under the lights, and Juventus wasted no time delivering a devastating one. The hosts ruthlessly dismantled the Balance of the tie just nine minutes in when Nicolás Iván Gonzalez found the back of the net, capitalising on a sharp feed from Kamil Grabara. While NEC Nijmegen edged possession at 52% in the opening stages, their control was entirely superficial and lacked penetration. The Dutch side passed sideways, but the Italians drove the dagger forward with precision. By the 24th minute, Kerim Alajbegovic doubled the advantage, finishing off a slick attacking sequence started by Weston McKennie. The hosts were simply playing at an Intensity the visitors could not match, turning a competitive European night into a sheer showcase of attacking efficiency.
Punishing the Mistakes
The true turning point arrived when any lingering hope for NEC was forcefully extinguished from the penalty spot. A reckless challenge inside the box allowed Nick Woltemade to step up in the 35th minute. He made no mistake, burying the spot-kick to make it 3-0 before half-time and crushing the visitors' morale. Despite the Dutch side generating 11 shots throughout the night, their efforts were largely speculative, resulting in a woeful 0.76 expected goals. Juventus, by contrast, operated like a highly trained sniper unit. The Stakes of opening their European campaign with a statement victory pushed the Italian giants to maintain their aggressive high press, effectively neutralizing any creative threat from the midfield and keeping NEC pinned deep in their own half.
The Substitutes Strike
With the final result completely beyond doubt, the second half became an exercise in total tactical humiliation. The Upset factor was completely erased as Juventus showcased their terrifying squad depth. Managerial tweaks saw Randal Kolo Muani enter the fray as a substitute, and the Frenchman immediately wreaked havoc across the frontline. He brilliantly set up Zeki Çelik for the fourth goal in the 75th minute before getting on the scoresheet himself just seven minutes later, nodding home a precise delivery from defensive standout Jhon Lucumi. A staggering 4.14 xG off just 11 shots paints the perfect analytical picture: Juventus were breathtakingly clinical. For NEC Nijmegen, it’s a harsh welcome to elite competition; for Turin, it’s a massive warning shot fired across Europe.
Key Questions
What caused the 5-goal thriller?
Juventus exhibited clinical finishing, converting an incredible 4.14 xG from just 11 shots, completely overwhelming NEC's fragile defensive setup.
How did substitute Kerim-Sam Alajbegović change the game?
Starting the match in midfield, Alajbegović dominated proceedings, scoring the pivotal second goal in the 24th minute to shatter NEC's early resolve.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Juventus Host NEC Nijmegen in One-Sided Europa League Opener
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 52/100. A heavy mismatch awaits in Turin as Juventus look to cruise through an opening fixture that offers little competitive tension.
The Setup
The Europa League format demands early consistency if teams want to secure top-eight direct qualification. For Juventus, matchday one presents the perfect runway. They welcome NEC Nijmegen to the Allianz Stadium on September 17, 2026, in a clash where the Stakes remain relatively modest given the long campaign ahead. Our take? The Italians possess a Form projection that spells trouble for the visitors. With massive disparities in squad depth and pedigree, the hosts will look to assert their dominance from the first whistle.
Key Battle
This match boils down to Juventus's attacking depth against a desperate away defensive block. While NEC Nijmegen will likely park the bus, the sheer quality of J. David leading the line makes a clean sheet highly improbable. In midfield, K. Thuram and K. Yıldız will dictate the tempo. The Dutch side's rearguard must maintain flawless discipline, but surviving ninety minutes of sustained pressure from elite operators is a monumental task.
Our Prediction
Expect a one-sided affair. The competitive Balance is practically non-existent here. Juventus will control possession, force the visitors deep into their own half, and eventually break the deadlock. We anticipate a comfortable multi-goal victory for the hosts, turning this European night into a routine training exercise rather than a nail-biting thriller.