Match Details
- Date: Tuesday, 11 February 2025
- Location: Turin, Italy
- Venue: Allianz Stadium, Turin
- Kick-off: 20:00 GMT, 21:00 CET, 12:00 PST, 15:00 EST
- TV/Streaming - UK – TNT Sports, US – Paramount+
Muani, on loan from Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain, has been formidable on Italian soil with five goals in his three Serie A appearances.
The red-hot striker is expected to spearhead the attack against PSV Eindhoven for his first shot to impress in this season’s Champions League sporting the Juventus jersey.
The Bianconeri were booed off by their own fans at both half-time and after the full time whistle in their previous Champions League outing.
A tepid 2-0 home defeat to Portuguese titans Benfica left Juve languishing in 20th in the 32-team league phase, enough to reach the play-off phase.
In contrast, PSV signed off their league phase with a shock 3-2 success over Liverpool inside the Philips Stadion to make it four out of their past five Champions League ties.
PSV’s preparations for Tuesday’s showdown with Juventus has seen a recent wobble in the Dutch Eredivisie. Peter Bosz’s side have surprisingly been held to score draws by mid-table outfits NEC and Willem II. They are clearly missing top scorer Ricardo Pepi, who suffered a knee injury against Liverpool and will undergo surgery.
Since the midweek boos rang around the Allianz Stadium, head coach Thiago Motta has overseen the first back-to-back Serie A victories since November.
Both triumphs were against relegation-threatened teams. The 4-1 home win over Empoli was flattering, even against 10-men. While a last-gasp penalty, converted by Muani, secured maximum points at Como on Friday night.
Juventus’ Champions League campaign hasn’t gone completely to plan. They won twice in four European matches this term, which included an impressive 2-0 success over Manchester City.
Motta’s men have a mean defense when it comes to European competition, shipping in just seven goals from eight games. It has been at the other end of the pitch where they have wobbled, notching just nine goals.
Muani’s rich vein of form, and he’s now oozing with confidence, should be the answer to Juve’s lack of scoring on the international stage.
Head-to-head
These two sides met in their Champions League opener back in mid-September. Their inaugural major European meeting saw Juve run out worthy 3-1 winners courtesy of strikes from Kenan Yildiz, Weston McKennie and Nicolas Gonzalez. The visitors snatched a stoppage-time consolation goal.
Team news
Muani is expected to play as a lone striker, with Yildiz in support. Top scorer Dusan Vlahovic, who has been benched for the past three league games, is likely to join the attack during the second half if required.
Lloyd Kelly, who replaced Nicolo Savona at half-time against Como, seems destined to be given the nod to start.
PSV skipper Luuk de Jong, who has hit 14 goals in all competitions, will be the dangerman for Kelly and the other rest of the defensive backline.
At the other end of the pitch head coach Bosz could welcome back defender Ryan Flamingo from his Champions League ban, and line him up with Manchester United loanee Tyrell Malacia.
Expected line-ups
Juventus possible starting XI:
Di Gregorio; Weah, Gatti, Veiga, Kelly; McKennie, Locatelli; Gonzalez, Koopmeiners, Yildiz; Muani
PSV Eindhoven possible starting XI:
Benitez; Karsdorp, Flamingo, Obispo, Malacia; Veerman, Schouten; Bakayoko, Til, Lang; De Jong
Prediction
European nights used to be special occasions, but under Motta’s leadership have lost their gloss.
Yet sharpshooter Muani should be able to provide the home fans with something to cheer about. If he doesn’t find the back of the net then Motta can always throw on Vlahovic to add firepower.
PSV know that they are in for a possible rough and tumble battle. Bosz’s troops are scoring regularly, but always conceding.
Juventus should come out on top, after an edgy start, thanks to vocal home support and high expectations on Muani’s shoulders to score or set up a goal.
Old Juve predicts a 3-1 Juventus success.