17 September 2026
The Men's First Team began their 2026/27 UEFA Europa League campaign with a commanding 5-0 victory against NEC Nijmegen.
The goals came from five different players, as Nico Gonzalez, Kerim Alajbegovic, Nick Woltemade, Zeki Celik and Randal Kolo Muani all found the back of the net.
THE MATCH REPORT
It was a flying start at the Allianz Stadium for the Bianconeri, who approached the match with the right attitude, immediately pinning the Dutch side NEC back in their own half. The deadlock was broken in the 9th minute. Kamil Grabara played a perfect long ball from the back to find Nico Gonzalez making a run. The Argentine striker pounced on the ball at just the right moment, capitalising on the opposing goalkeeper’s hesitation as he came off his line, and coolly slotted the ball into the net to make it 1-0.
Buoyed by their lead, Luciano Spalletti’s side continued to press forward. In the 23rd minute, Nick Woltemade had the chance to double the lead. The striker found himself with the ball in the heart of the penalty area following a deflection, but the NEC goalkeeper managed to deny him. It was merely a prelude to the second goal, which arrived right on cue a minute later, in the 24th minute. There was a one-two on the edge of the box between Weston McKennie and Kerim Alajbegovic, with the latter controlling the ball and unleashing a powerful, clinical right-footed shot that nestled unstoppably into the corner.
Juventus’ pressure did not let up and, in the 35th minute, Gonzalez dribbled into the box where he was clearly brought down. The referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. Woltemade stepped up to the spot and coolly sent Nikolas Polster the wrong way, making it 3-0 in the 35th minute.
The second half got off to a similar start to the first. The Bianconeri managed their three-goal lead with composure, maintaining complete control of the ball and biding their time to punish the Dutch defence once more.
The fresh legs brought on from the bench added further spark to the Bianconeri’s attack, and in the 75th minute the fourth goal arrived. Randal Kolo Muani produced a dazzling solo run down the wing, breaking through NEC’s defence and delivering an inviting cross into the box for Zeki Celik, who slotted home from close range to make it 4-0.
The magical evening at the Allianz Stadium continued with another moment of joy in the 82nd minute. A long ball from Jhon Lucumi found Kolo Muani’s run in behind. The French striker beat the defenders to the ball, rounded the onrushing goalkeeper and slotted home into an empty net to seal the 5-0 victory.
