Three talking points from Juventus’ 3-1 win over PSV: Motta still cooking | OneFootball

Thiago Motta’s Juventus had a convincing start to their Champions League campaign, securing a 3-1 win home win over PSV Eindhoven: here are three talking points from the Allianz Stadium clash.

Juventus were almost perfect on their Champions League debut, scoring three goals in barely 50 minutes against PSV last night, but they conceded for the first time this season in the last second.

Football Itlaia was among the accredited media at the Allianz Stadium on Tuesday and brings you three things we learned from Juventus’ first Champions League of the season.

Quality and unpredictability

Nico Gonzalez and Kenan Yildiz made headlines. They both scored on their Champions League debut and the Turkish talent became the youngest goal scorer in the competition for the Bianconeri with a stunning curler. Yildiz started as a left winger but often switched positions with Teun Koopmeiners. When the Dutchman moved towards the left flank, Yildiz would take a central position, and Nicolò Fagioli did the same when he replaced the Turkey international in the second half. Koopmeiners didn’t score or assist but put in a complete performance, playing as a left winger, attacking midfielder and even deep-lying playmaker in the second half. It is pretty evident that Juventus have much more quality than last season, but Motta’stactical moves made the Bianconeri even more unpredictable last night.

Trust MMotta’sline-up choices

First Samuel Mbangula, then Nicolò Savona and Weston McKennie. Every time Thiago Motta makes a surprising line-up decision, it pays off. At least for now. Mbangula was given his Serie A debut on Matchday 1 against Como and took only a few minutes to find the net. Savona started his first league game the following week and, yet again, scored his first Serie A goal. Last night it was McKennie’s turn. The USMNT star was recently reintroduced to the first team after signing a contract extension and was picked over Fagioli, Douglas Luiz and Khephren Thuram. As a result, he scored his first goal this season after just 27 minutes. Motta, however, refused to take credit for McKennie’s goal last night. “The important thing is not my decision. This is my duty,” he said. “I must field the best 11. I am happy for McKennie. Like all the others, he’s working to improve. The important thing is that the team won today.”

Wher” Juventus must improve

Both Motta and Koopmeiners were quite clear when it came to explaining where Juventus must improve. The coach and the Dutch midfielder said that the Bianconeri must try to dominate proceedings, and the first thing they need to succeed in their plan is to prevent the opponents from keeping the ball. PSV had slightly more possession than Juventus last night (52% to 48%) and were the first team to score a goal against the Bianconeri this season. During a post-match press conference last night, Motta admitted to being worried about PSV’s goal. The Bianconeri have another key match coming up as they’ll host Antonio Conte’s Napoli in Turin on Saturday.