Juventus to Restore Balance in the Europa League

Juventus will host Dutch side NEC Nijmegen at the Allianz Stadium in the first matchday of the unified league phase of the UEFA Europa League.

After reaching the Champions League playoff rounds for the knockout stages in each of the past two seasons, the Italian giant is shifting its focus to Europe’s second-tier competition, hoping to win its first major continental title since 1996.

Juventus will face Nijmegen in the opening match of both teams’ campaigns, with the hosts looking to bounce back from a weekend league defeat, while the visitors aim to overcome a recent slump in form.

Juventus enters the league phase of the continental competition with the ambition of responding swiftly to its first defeat of the season, which came on Sunday against Sassuolo, losing 2-3.

That loss has left Luciano Spalletti’s side, which is dealing with several key injuries—most notably to captain Manuel Locatelli and US international Weston McKennie—with an inconsistent record in the domestic league (two wins, one draw, and one loss).

Nevertheless, the team’s home form remains strong, having beaten Parma 2-0 and drawn 1-1 with Milan.

Spalletti hopes his team will start its campaign strongly at home, as Juventus has won each of its last three European matches.

For its part, Nijmegen returns to one of Europe’s major competitions for the first time since the 2008-2009 season, but it expects a tough test in Turin. The Dutch club is participating in the Europa League after a disappointing exit in the second qualifying round of the Champions League against Bodø/Glimt, and it has managed just one win in its last six official matches.

In other key matches, French side Marseille will visit Turkish club Besiktas, Celtic will face Ferencváros, Crystal Palace will play Liepāja, and Real Sociedad will take on Bournemouth.