Mbangula drags Juve: 2-1 at PSV
Juventus-PSV 2-1
The first leg of the Champions League play-off against PSV Eindhoven goes to Juventus. At the Allianz Stadium in Turin, in fact, it ended 2-1 for the Bianconeri, who took the lead at the end of the first half with Mbangula but were retaken by former Inter player Perisic at the beginning of the second half. In the final è Mbangula to give the victory to the Old Lady.
Juve got off to a strong start and immediately made themselves dangerous with a Weah cross-shot that was cleared by Benitez. PSV responded with a right-footed shot from the edge by Saibari that finished on the bottom. On 15’ Benitez made a two-time save on Nico Gonzalez’s left-footed shot from outside. Four minutes later, the guests missed the lead with Obispo not finding the goal from two steps. On 34’ the Bianconeri took the lead: Benitez somehow saved on Kolo Muani but McKennie pounced on the ball and bagged it under the crossbar.
At the start of the second half the hosts came very close to doubling but Flamingo saved Mbangula’s left-footed attempt on the line. On 56’ the Dutch found the equalizer with Perisic beating Di Gregorio with a razor-sharp shot at the first post. With 8’ left to go, however, Juve took the lead again: Conceiçao went away at the back and put it in the middle, Benitez cleared but Mbangula è the è and put it in from two steps. In the final chance for PSV with Tiel, bricked by Renato Veiga and Di Gregorio.
With this victory, Juventus will go to the Netherlands with two out of three results at its disposal. The return match è scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 9 p.m. at the Philips Stadion in Eindhoven.
