UEFA YOUTH LEAGUE: JUVE PUT THREE PAST LEIPZIG | OneFootball

The Juventus Primavera side continued their good form in Europe and they will return from Leipzig with another well-deserved victory after they won 3-0 on Matchday two of the UEFA Youth League.

Juve take an early lead

Leipzig pressed high from the very beginning of the match, and Riccardo Radu, the Juventus goalkeeper, was called into action after just two minutes to deny Nuha Jatta the opening goal. Juventus reacted immediately and got their first goal in the 8th minute. Diego Ripani did well to win back possession before finding Diego Pugno, who in turn set up Alessio Vacca, who beat goalkeeper Fernando Dickes with an unstoppable shot to make it 1-0.

Leipzig looked for a quick reaction, and in the 23rd minute it was Robert Ramsak who called Radu into action with a headed effort on goal, but the Juventus goalkeeper was on hand to deny the German side once again. Meanwhile Juventus continued to try and double their lead: Francesco Crapisto struck an effort from distance in the 22nd minute, while Pugno, saw his effort from the edge of the penalty fly over the crossbar four minutes later.

Towards the end of the first half, the Bianconeri threatened yet again. Vacca took advantage of a mistake by the opponent's defence and went close to making it 2-0, but Dickes managed to block his shot. The first half ended with Juventus deservedly leading 1-0.

More goals in the second half

The second half began much like the first, with Juventus immediately on the front foot. In the 46th minute, the Bianconeri doubled their advantage. Crapisto’s effort was blocked by Dickes, but the Leipzig defence failed to clear, and the ball ended up at the feet of Andrei Florea whose shot snuck in under the crossbar to make it 2-0.

Leipzig tried to react yet again, with Ramsak trying to pull one back in the 50th minute, but Radu parried his effort away comfortably. The hosts struggled to find gaps in the solid Juventus defence, even after Juventus were reduced to ten men in the 74th minute when Florea was sent off for a second yellow card.

Biliboc puts the game to bed

Despite the numerical inferiority, Juventus did not stop posing a threat on the counter-attack. In the 87th minute, substitute Lorenzo Biliboc put the game to bed. A long throw from Radu perfectly found Biliboc, who eluded the Leipzig defence and coolly beat Dickes to grab Juve’s third goal.

Leipzig tried until the end to find a consolation goal, but attempts by Friedrich Heyer in the 93rd minute and Cenny Neumann in added time did not trouble Radu. The match ended with a clear 3-0 victory for Juventus, who dominated Leipzig and confirmed their status as a strong contender in this season’s UEFA Youth League, with two victories in as many matches.

COACH FRANCESCO MAGNANELLI'S COMMENTS

“These guys amaze me at every training session and every game, they have a fantastic team spirit, which is then the same spirit they have on the pitch, in Italy and in Europe. At the moment that's what makes the difference, they feel good with each other, they want to win together, to help each other out, so that they don’t lose a duel. We're developing together, and at the moment that's our goal: we're still growing so it wouldn't make sense to set a goal now. Right now the boys want to win every game, to outdo each other in training, and it's really nice to see how they celebrate together, even from the bench. We must maintain this spirit, improve day after day, because we still have difficult moments, both technically and tactically. I can say that these last few months have gone very well, we'e been through normal difficulties, even mistakes, but I am supported by a staff of the highest level, with exemplary professionals, and wonderful guys.”

UEFA Youth League | Matchday 2 | Leipzig - Juventus | Gallery

RB LEIPZIG 0-3 JUVENTUS

UEFA Youth League - Matchday 2 Stadion am Cottaweg - Red Bull Academy - Leipzig Goals: 7'Vacca (J), 46' Florea (J), 87' Biliboc (J)

RB Leipzig: Dickes, Koß (85' Shößler), Norbye (cap), Schuldes, Ramsak, Jatta, Sakar (79' Damala), Voufack (59' Neumann), Gebel, Klapija (59' Heyer), Weißbach (59' Masanka Bungi). Unused Subsitiutes: Lottes, Bulland, Boog, Walther. Coach: Sebastian Heidinger

Juventus: Radu, Martinez, Ripani, Ventre (79' Biliboc), Crapisto (95' Ngana), Pugno (79' López), Vacca (76' Boufandar), Montero, Pagnucco (cap) (95' Grelaud), Florea, Bassino. Unused Substitutes: Zelezny, Verde, Scienza, Finocchiaro. Coach: Francesco Magnanelli

Referee: Jan Petrik (CZE). Assistants: Lukás Matousek (CZE), Jan Hurych (CZE). Fourth Official: Daniel Bartnitzki (GER)

Bookings: 19' Norbye (RB), 31' Crapisto (J), 36' Ripani (J), 62' Florea (J), 72' Koß (RB), 83' Gebel (RB), 97' Schuldes (RB)

Sent Off: 74' Florea (J) for a second bookable offence

Next Match: Primavera League 1 - Matchday 7 Juventus-Fiorentina Pitch "Ale & Ricky" - Vinovo (Turin) Sunday 6 October 2024, 10.45 (CEST)