Juventus Prepares for Crucial Champions League Showdown Against PSV

EINDHOVEN, Netherlands (AP) — Juventus will not settle for a draw when they face PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday, despite holding a 2-1 advantage in their UEFA Champions League playoff. Coach Thiago Motta described the match as the most critical of the season during a press conference on Tuesday.

Motta’s squad is arriving at the Philips Stadion buoyed by a recent victory, coming off a 1-0 win against Inter Milan in Serie A. “This is the most important game of our season. We’ve taken an important first step but it’s not enough. We don’t know how to play to get a draw; we take the field to win,” Motta stated.

The Italians secured their aggregate lead after a late win in the first leg against PSV. However, Motta is fully aware of the hurdles that lie ahead, noting that PSV has not lost at home since November 2022. “We need to press them hard up front. If we give them space, they perform well,” he added. “They’re skilled at attacking with many players, so those opportunities can’t go uncountered.”

Juventus has previously defeated PSV twice this season, including a 3-1 victory in their Champions League group stage opener in September. Motta emphasized the necessity of maintaining focus and using strategic thinking on the field. “We need hope for our best performance in every aspect. We want to work hard to deserve a place in the next round,” he explained.

Kickoff for the match is set for 3:00 PM local time, and both teams are looking to secure advancement in the prestigious competition. As the pressure mounts, Juventus will need to perform not just defensively, but also capitalize on scoring opportunities to secure their spot in the Round of 16.