Gleison Bremer ↑61′ · Chico Conceicao ↑61′ · Teun Koopmeiners ↑61′ · Randal Kolo Muani ↑71′⚽ · Augusto Owusu ↑83′ · Carlo Pinsoglio · Guglielmo Vicario · Filippo Pagnucco · Destiny Elimoghale · Lloyd Kelly · Edon Zhegrova · Andrea Cambiaso · Jeff Ekhator · Jeremie Boga · Manuel Locatelli · Juan Cabal · Khephren Thuram-Ulien · Kenan Yildiz
Coach · Luciano Spalletti
Match Preview
Juventus vs NEC Nijmegen Match Preview
AI-written editorial preview · updated 2026-09-15 19:09 UTC
Juventus face NEC Nijmegen in Europa League opener
Teun Koopmeiners stands as the creative heartbeat for Juventus, tasked with orchestrating play in the middle of the park as the Italian giants embark on their latest European campaign. His ability to dictate the tempo will be vital at the Allianz Stadium this Thursday, where the home side looks to translate their domestic consistency into a strong start in the Europa League.
A fresh start in Turin
Juventus open their Europa League campaign at home, a setting that carries both expectation and the weight of a fresh continental challenge. Following a recent 3-2 loss to Sassuolo in Serie A, the team is looking to regain their defensive composure. Having kept clean sheets in seven of their last ten matches, the hosts will aim to return to that disciplined foundation against their Dutch visitors.
Navigating the selection puzzle
Managerial decisions for this match are complicated by a significant injury list, with Manuel Locatelli, Jeremie Boga, and Kenan Yildiz all sidelined. Lloyd Kelly is also unavailable due to suspension, forcing a reshuffle in the defensive unit. The expected XI features Kamil Grabara in goal behind a back four of Andrea Cambiaso, Jhon Lucumi, Federico Gatti, and Mehmet Zeki Celik, with Koopmeiners supported by Kerim Alajbegovic, Nico Gonzalez, Pape Sarr, and Chico Conceicao in midfield.
NEC Nijmegen’s search for momentum
NEC Nijmegen arrive in Italy looking to overcome a challenging run of form that saw them fall 3-0 to Cambuur in their most recent Eredivisie outing. With Gonzalo Crettaz suspended and Deveron Fonville out through injury, the visitors face a stiff test in their opening European fixture. The expected lineup includes Nikolas Polster in goal, with a defensive line of Almugera Kabar, Philippe Sandler, and Tobias Storm, while the midfield looks to rely on the experience of Tjaronn Chery and Dennis Geiger to disrupt the Juventus rhythm.
Tactical control and late-game impact
As both sides adjust to the opening matchday, the game is expected to be a controlled, tactical affair. Juventus have shown a tendency to grow in influence as matches progress, with seven of their goals in the last ten fixtures arriving after the 75th minute. NEC will need to maintain their concentration in the final stages if they are to withstand the pressure of a home crowd and secure a result in this high-stakes European encounter.
NEC Nijmegen
3-4-2-1
● Confirmed
10
Tadic
9
Chery
30
↓78′
Linssen
20
↓78′
Lebreton
6
Nejasmic
99
↓32′
Bischoff
77
Thomas
66
↓46′
Kabar
3
↓66′
Sandler
21
Storm
12
Polster
Bench (15)
Dennis Geiger ↑32′ · Jamiro Monteiro ↑46′ · Perr Schuurs ↑66′ · Bram Nuytinck ↑78′ · Kevin Kers ↑78′ · Willum Willumsson · Kaj Sierhuis · Freek Entius · Joep Geneste · Yassin Moslih · Gabriel Bras · Gonzalo Crettaz · Emre Mor · Deveron Fonville · Ahmetcan Kaplan
Coach · Dick Schreuder
Confirmed by FIFA officials.
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