Champions League | Knockout Round Playoffs | 1st Leg

Feb 11, 2025 at 8pm UK

Allianz Stadium Juventus

Juventus vs PSV

Match preview

Carrying on the pragmatic legacy of Massimiliano Allegri, Juve boss Motta saw the Old Lady concede just seven goals in their eight games in the league phase, the second-best defensive record of any team that failed to qualify directly for the last 16.

However, Juve found the back of the net just nine times - the second-worst record in the top 24 - and their 2-0 win over Manchester City on 11 December is their only win in the last six Champions League games.

A 2-0 defeat at the hands of Benfica on the final matchday proved to be no match for the Bianconeri, who were also beaten at home by Stuttgart and could now lose three home games in a Champions League campaign for the first time in their history.

Since their defeat at the hands of the Portuguese giants, however, Juventus have belatedly started to turn draws into wins in Serie A, beating Empoli 4-1 on 2 February before beating Como 2-1 on Friday thanks to their new French hero.

PSG loanee Randal Kolo Muani scored his fourth and fifth goals for his new club - including an 89th-minute winner - against Cesc Fabregas's side, and victory on Tuesday would give Juve back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

Visiting PSV Eindhoven were not mathematically out of contention for a top-eight spot heading into the final matchday, where Peter Bosz's men faced the most daunting home fixture on the menu against a perfect Liverpool side.

With the Reds' qualification already sealed, Arne Slot rang the changes for his homecoming in the Netherlands, much to the delight of the Eindhoven faithful, as PSV ended Liverpool's 100% record in the 2024-25 competition with a thrilling 3-2 victory.

While the Dutch giants did everything in their power to secure a top-eight finish on the final day, it would have taken a ridiculous run of results for that scenario to materialise, and Tuesday's visitors unsurprisingly ended up in one of the eight play-off places.

However, PSV may have more pressing matters to deal with than a fantasy run to Champions League glory, as Saturday's disappointing 1-1 draw with Willem II means that Bosz's men will be overtaken at the top of the Eredivisie by a resurgent Ajax should the Amsterdam giants win both of their games in hand.

On the bright side, the stalemate at least extended PSV's unbeaten run to six games and their goal drought to 11 in all competitions, but they have already been beaten once by Juve this term, a 3-1 defeat in the league in their first major European meeting.

Recent Performance

Juventus Champions League form:LDDWDL

Juventus form (all competitions):WDLLWW

PSV Eindhoven Champions League form:DWWLWW

PSV Eindhoven form (all competitions):WWWDWD

Team News

Defender Pierre Kalulu, who was injured in the first half of Juve's home defeat to Benfica in the Champions League last time out, is still recovering from a muscle problem and is one of five concerns for Motta ahead of the first leg.

ACL victims Bremer and Juan Cabal remain sidelined, while striker Arkadiusz Milik is not expected to return from a calf problem until next month and defender Andrea Cambiaso - whose agent has confirmed he was the subject of interest from Manchester City in January - is nursing an ankle problem.

Newcastle United loanee Lloyd Kelly made his Juve debut in Friday's win over Como as a half-time substitute for Nicolo Savona, but Motta should stick with the latter from the opening whistle in Europe.

As for PSV, Bosz may find himself in a defensive quandary after Adamo Nagalo was forced off injured in the weekend draw with Willem II, an untimely blow as Olivier Boscagli is also nursing a muscle problem.

However, Ryan Flamingo has returned from his Champions League ban and is in contention to partner Armando Obispo at the heart of defence, while Manchester United loanee Tyrell Malacia made an immediate impact against Willem II, but could now make way for Mauro Junior.

Malik Tillman (ankle), Ricardo Pepi (knee) and Richard Ledezma (head) will also be out for Rood-Witten, who will be led by 34-year-old evergreen striker Luuk de Jong, who has already scored 14 goals in all competitions this season.

Possible starting lineup

Juventus possible starting lineup:

Di Gregorio; Weah, Gatti, Veiga, Savona; McKennie, Locatelli; Gonzalez, Koopmeiners, Yildiz; Kolo Muani

PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:

Benitez; Karsdorp, Flamingo, Obispo, Junior; Veerman, Schouten; Bakayoko, Til, Lang; De Jong