Juventus Turn NEC Nijmegen into a Training Ground

After a sleepy first half that offered little more than yawning defenders and a few half‑hearted crosses, Juventus woke up with the subtlety of a freight train and turned NEC Nijmegen’s Europa League outing into a one‑man show. The Bianconeri broke the deadlock just after the hour, and what followed was a relentless barrage that left the Dutch side looking like they’d stumbled into a Serie A training session by mistake. Five goals, zero reply, and a performance that screamed “we’re still here” even if the Serie A table says otherwise.

The Old Lady’s midfield finally found its rhythm, with Locatelli pulling the strings and Chiesa slicing through the right flank like a hot knife through butter. Vlahović, ever the opportunist, pounced on a loose ball to open the scoring, then added a second after a defensive mix‑up that would have embarrassed a Sunday league side. The floodgates opened further when Rabiot’s thunderous strike from distance rattled the crossbar before bouncing in, and a late double from Kean sealed the rout. Juventus’ pressing was suffocating, their passing crisp, and their finishing clinical – a stark contrast to the lethargy that had characterised their first 45 minutes.

NEC Nijmegen, meanwhile, seemed to have forgotten how to defend. Their back line shuffled about as if auditioning for a slapstick comedy, conceding space that Juventus exploited with ruthless efficiency. The Dutch side managed a couple of half‑chances, but their shots were either blocked or sailed harmlessly wide, underscoring a lack of cohesion that left them looking more like a training dummy than a competitive Europa League outfit.

In terms of the group standings, this result is a CRUCIAL boost for Juventus. The victory not only secures maximum points but also improves their goal difference to a level that all but guarantees progression to the knockout stage, assuming they avoid a catastrophic slip‑up in the remaining fixtures. For NEC, the loss plunges them deeper into the relegation‑zone of the group, making their hopes of advancing rely on a series of improbable results elsewhere – a scenario about as likely as a quiet night at the Stadio delle Alpi.

Ultimately, Juventus reminded everyone that, even when their domestic form flickers, they can still flip the switch in Europe and treat opponents like practice dummies. NEC Nijmegen, on the other hand, will need to regroup quickly if they wish to avoid becoming a footnote in this season’s Europa League narrative. The message is clear: when Juventus decides to show up, the scoreboard does the talking – and it talks loudly.