Nico Gonzalez: ‘Juventus play with a smile on our faces’ | OneFootball

Nico Gonzalez scored on his Champions League debut and said Thiago Motta wants them to ‘play with a smile on our face’ after the 3-1 win over PSV Eindhoven.

The Bianconeri started their European adventure in style at the Allianz Juventus Stadium with goals from Kenan Yildiz, Weston McKennie and Nico Gonzalez.

“I am happy, we had a great performance. The team played well, we perhaps could’ve done more in the second half, but the result is positive,” Nico Gonzalez told Sky Sport Italia.

Nico Gonzalez intrigued by new Juventus ideas

Thiago Motta has imposed a very different tactical approach to the one this team was accustomed to under Max Allegri, helped by starting four new signings this evening, including the Argentina international.

“There are very clear ideas, we have the freedom also to do what we know how to do. We always play with a smile, we have to enjoy our football and continue like this.”

Kenan Yildiz was certainly enjoying himself, scoring a goal worthy of his hero Alessandro Del Piero with the curler into the far top corner.

“I am happy for him, he deserves it, because he’s a good kid and today played so well.”

However, there were two negatives this evening, because with the last kick of the game Juventus conceded the first goal of the season.

Considering it is one big Champions League table, the goal difference could well be decisive for position at the end of this new expanded phase.

The other negative is that Dusan Vlahovic failed to find the net yet again, as he remains quite frustrated.

“I am disappointed because he deserves a goal, but he just needs to relax. I know he lives to score goals, he didn’t score today, but has to keep trying,” concluded Nico Gonzalez.