Juventus kicked off another UEFA Youth League journey against PSG. It was a case of last season's semi-finalists paying a visit to a team that had made it as far as the quarter-finals. In a classic match of two halves, Paolo Montero's team struggled in the first but found their feet in the second 45 minutes.
FIRST HALF TO FORGET
The Youth League could not have got off to a worse start for the Bianconeri after they found themselves two goals down inside the opening eight minutes . Housni touched home from close range after three minutes, followed up by a delightful chip from Emery after a solo-run on seven minutes.
Juve quickly regrouped and came close through Yildiz on 12' before finding the net on 17' with Mbangula on target. Montero's boys came close to equalising on 35' when a Huijsen header went angonisingly close.
Then the floodgates opened at the other end. PSG netted three times in just under 10 minutes before the half-time whistle, with goals from Housni on 36', Gharbi on 44' and Lemina on 45'+2.
A SECOND HALF TO BUILD FROM
Although the result was never in doubt, Juve pride came through and the youngsters responded, reducing the deficit. In 62' Turco tested the home goalkeeper but it was Scaglia in the Juve goal that performed heroics to deny the hosts a sixth goal. With a quarter of an hour to play, Strijdonck came close at the near post before the Bianconeri finally found a way through.
Two goals in three minuts, first from Hasa's splendid free-kick on 77' then a penalty on 80' converted by Huijsen.
Not the start the Under 19s had hoped for but with five games to play, there is still plenty of time to put the standings right,
COACH MONTERO'S COMMENTS
"In this competition you meet teams with speed and quality like PSG, who deserved to win. We need to improve our attitude, aware of being strong, but with the desire to demonstrate it. This let down must make us understand that we must play every game with the same mentality, because it is a fundamental step for the future career of the boys. There is plenty of quality, but there is still room for improvement. We are here to help and will continue to do so. I am really happy to work with them and they are completely committed. Losing can happen, let's hope it won't happen again "
UEFA Youth League Matchday 1
Stade "Georges-Lefevre" - Saint-Germain-en-Laye (Paris
PSG 5-3 JUVENTUS (HT: 5-1)
Scorers: 3' Housni (P), 7' Emery (P), 17' Mbangula (J), 36' Housni (P), 44' Gharbi (P), 47'+3 Lemina (P), 77' Hasa (J), 80' pen Huijsen (J)
PSG: Mouquet, Fernandez, Muntu Wa Mungu, El Hannach (cap), Bitshiabu, Bagbema (72' Mbappé), Lamy, Emery, Housni, Gharbi (72' Bensoula), Lemina (56' Tchicamboud).
Subs not used: Laurendon, Zague, Diawara, Mukelenge.
Coach: Zoumana Camara
Juventus: Scaglia, Valdesi (46' Hasa), Rouhi, Huijsen, Doratiotto (cap), Turco N., Mbangula (46' Strijdonck), Yildiz (53' Mancini), Nonge (71' Pisapia), Nzouango, Mulazzi (85' Dellavalle).
Subs not used: Daffara, Maressa.
Coach: Paolo Montero
Bookings: 24' Mbangula (J), 34' Lamy (P), 36' Huijsen (J), 43' & 85' Doratiotto (J), 49' Bagbema (P), 57' Nonge (J), 76' El Hannach (P), 90'+1' Hasa (J)
Sendings off: 85' Doratiotto (J)