Juventus have received a significant fitness boost ahead of their Europa League opener against NEC Nijmegen with the return of Weston McKennie. Head coach Luciano Spalletti has confirmed that the USMNT international is set to be thrown straight back into the starting line-up for the continental clash at the Allianz Stadium.
Struggling Juventus face a tricky Europa League test against Dutch side NEC and their unique 'Dickie-taka' style. Italian media highlight the aggressive approach as a major test for under-fire boss Luciano Spalletti at the Allianz Stadium.
Juventus captain Gleison Bremer expressed his ambition to leave a lasting mark on the club ahead of their UEFA Europa League opener against NEC Nijmegen. Speaking to UEFA.com, the Brazilian defender praised manager Luciano Spalletti and targeted going all the way in Europe.
NEC manager Dick Schreuder has admitted he is not entirely impressed by the recent Champions League makeover at De Goffert. The Dutch coach revealed that the stadium modifications and logistical changes have even left him feeling somewhat irritated.
Dutch football legend Ruud Gullit has heaped praise on NEC following their impressive tactical performance. At the same time, he has publicly questioned why traditional Eredivisie heavyweights like Ajax, Feyenoord, and PSV fail to replicate such efficiency.
The 2025-26 European season is over, and it ended just as the 2024-25 did 12 months earlier, with Paris Saint-Germain lifting the European Cup at the end of the Champions League final. Saturday's win over Arsenal in Budapest was a much tighter affair than their thrashing of Inter in Munich, but was greeted with no less joy by the French giants and their supporters as they clinched a double having already won Ligue 1.
Raheem Sterling suffered a significant setback at Feyenoord after being dropped to the bench for the crucial Eredivisie encounter against NEC Nijmegen. Head coach Robin van Persie has now clarified the reasoning behind the former Chelsea star's absence from the starting line-up, citing fitness concerns following a disappointing run of form.
NEC Nijmegen
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