The Bianconeri’s under 20s returned to the competition after last year’s imposed absence, with Alfonso Montero grabbing the only goal of the game in the 56th minute.
The Youth League has changed its format this year, mostly mirroring the new Champions League Swiss format with a single ‘League Phase’ that sees teams playing the same sides for the first six matches as their senior counterparts.
In addition, the ‘National Champions’ route has been modified to include the national youth champions of all UEFA member associations, having previously been limited to the top 32 associations in the UEFA coefficient.
It was a cagey first ten minutes in Vinovo, until Alessio Vacca fired a ball across the box, with Diego Pugno unable to get a foot onto it.
PSV soon had their first meaningful chance six minutes later, when Joel Van Den Berg’s shot from outside the box forced Juventus goalkeeper Riccardo Radu into action, batting away the effort.
On 22 minutes, Juve’s Andrei Florea tried a lob shot that was unlucky to end up just over the bar. Minutes later, Pugno once again failed to take advantage of a good chance, with his weak shot saved easily by PSV keeper Stijn Kuijsten.
PSV nearly took the lead before half time, but Van Den Berg’s speculative effort from long range sailed wide.
In the second half, Juventus came out more aggressive, eager for the breakthrough, with Filippo Pagnucco coming close on 52 minutes when his shot grazed the bar.
Juventus drew first blood four minutes later, when pinball in the box saw the ball land at the feet of Montero. The young Uruguayan defender, son of the revered Paolo Montero, calmly dispatched his shot past keeper Kuijsten to give Juve a 1-0 lead.
PSV shook off the cobwebs to try and find an equaliser. Juve hearts were in mouths when Floris Bos launched a rocket of a shot goalward on 66 minutes, only for the effort to ricochet off the post.
PSV piled on the pressure, with Van Den Berg in particular putting Radu through his paces, but the young shot stopper was more than a match for him in multiple occasions as Juve ground out the game, grabbing the three points with their 1-0 win.
Post-game, Juve U20 Head Coach Francesco Manganelli gave his thoughts to Juventus’ official website, saying: “It was a debut for everyone—for me, for the team. It was a very exciting day, where you could feel something was different than usual. I know I have a good and willing group of guys, but today they played even beyond my expectations. Their spirit and attitude really made the difference, in addition to their technical skills, of course.
“We faced a team with flair, who had a precise idea of the game and were skilled ball-handlers. We played very well, both with and without the ball. I'm very happy with this outcome and also with the experiences I've been having here since last season, together with all the staff. We left our comfort zone and are in an incredible situation, that’s what we're facing this year. Now we have to maintain this level of focus and hunger, because in a few days we play again."
Juventus will hope this win can propel them on to the heights of 2022, where they reached the Final Four of the UEFA Youth League before losing to Benfica in the semi finals. They next face RB Leipzig at the Stadion am Cottaweg on the 2nd of October. The Primavera side return to domestic action on Saturday morning, away to Lecce.