Juventus – PSV: Rejuvenated Old Lady Finds Joy In Relationism (3-1)

Juventus had the better of PSV, by a lot more than the final score line reflected. They confronted the Dutch champions - dominant in their own league - with an elegant free flowing form of football that ensured numerical advantages in the most crucial areas. On the free role of Andrea Cambiaso, on the interplay of the midfielders, on the ideas of relationism expressed so early in Thiago Motta’s Juve days.

Tactical analysis and match report by Sander IJtsma.

So here it is, the new format of the Champions League. Away with the group stage and its unbalanced fixtures that didn’t really impact the tournament in any meaningful way. On to a new setup, with more attractive fixtures that - in theory at least - have less dead rubber potential. Juventus and PSV were among the four teams to open this format, with BSC Young Boys and Aston Villa the other ones playing the early kickoff. Let’s see who reproduces those four in a pub quiz some decades from now!

Forever called ‘The Old Lady’, Juventus are in a serious rejuvenation project. Gone is the progressively conservative stance under Allegri’s second reign. In came hot commodity Thiago Motta, whose Bologna was probably the most eye-catching team in last season’s Serie A. Under their new manager, Juventus takes a proactive approach, with interesting tweaks aimed at the holy grail of 2024 football tactics: a midfield overload.

Peter Bosz enters his second season at PSV amidst an air of stability and continuity. Ever one for the high press, aggressive counterpress and a sometimes over-optimistic high line, PSV made a splendid impression last season. They . . .