Juventus begin UCL campaign with emphatic victory

Juventus gas put their back-to-back draws in the Serie A behind them with a comprehensive win against Dutch side PSV Eindhoven in their Day 1 match of the UEFA Champions League.

The Turin giant were inspired by sensational solo goal from Kenan Yildiz before Weston McKennie and Nico Gonzalez completed the rout to crush PSV Eindhoven 3-1 in the Champions League opener.

The Bianconeri had gone into the clash on the back of two goalless draws in their last two Serie A outings. Thiago Motta’s men needed a boost to begin their European campaign and they got one but conceded their first goal of the season.

The Dutch side got the first chance in the encounter when  Joey Veerman’s effort was straight at Michele Di Gregorio after Guus Til had volleyed off target early on. Meanwhile, Matteo Dams made a decisive block to prevent Nico Gonzalez’s diving header on an Andrea Cambiaso cross.

Juve needed an opener, and they eventually took the lead courtesy of Kenan Yildiz’s moment of pure magic. The 19-year-old produced a heroic moment when he cut inside from the left and curled right-footed in off the inside of the far top corner, giving the goalkeeper no chance to become the youngest Juve player to score in the Champions League at 19 years and 136 days, overtaking Del Piero’s record of 20 years and 308 days against Borussia Dortmund in September 1995.

The host could have made it two moments later, but Drommel denied them, sticking out a leg to deny McKennie’s first-time finish. 

After Teun Koopmeiners volleyed wide of the far post, Juventus scored the second of the clash through McKennie.

Nico Gonzalez battled to get away from Dams, and Dusan Vlahovic touched on the assist, finding the American unmarked from eight yards to tuck it home.

The hosts then put the result beyond reasonable doubt with the third through Nico Gonzalez.

Koopmeiners won the ball in the midfield for Vlahovic, who flashed a ball across from the left for Gonzalez, who had enough time and space to take a touch before beating the goalkeeper at the far post.

The visitors had a chance to reduce the deficit through Ismael Saibari with the last kick of the game, gathering from Johan Bakayoko and drilling under the goalkeeper.