Juventus secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Pafos in the Champions League at Allianz Stadium, with Weston McKennie and Jonathan David finding the net. Before the match, Juventus were tied on points with their
Cypriot opponents, sitting just inside the top 24. However, this win moved them to 17th place, creating a three-point gap.
The game began with some tense moments for Juventus. Bruno Felipe's cross almost resulted in an own goal when it deflected off Lloyd Kelly and Andrea Cambiaso, but Michele Di Gregorio made an impressive save. Anderson Silva nearly scored for Pafos, hitting the post from the edge of the box. Vlad Dragomir and Derrick Luckassen also missed good opportunities for the visitors.
Jonathan David had a chance to score before halftime but failed to convert from close range after Kelly's setup. Kenan Yildiz also missed a chance when Teun Koopmeiners' shot was parried. Francisco Conceicao came close twice before McKennie finally broke the deadlock in the 67th minute, scoring from Cambiaso's pass on the right side of the area.
Juventus then extended their lead with a swift counterattack. Yildiz set up David perfectly near the penalty spot, allowing him to slot home into the bottom-right corner. This goal sealed their victory and showcased Juventus' effective attacking play.
Despite their win, Juventus displayed some inefficiency in front of goal. They took 26 shots but only managed five on target, scoring twice from four significant chances. Nevertheless, they maintained their perfect record against Cypriot teams in European competitions, winning all seven encounters with an aggregate score of 27-3.
Performance Analysis: Jonathan David
Jonathan David's performance was notable despite his mixed start at Juventus. He was active throughout the match, taking three shots and making eight touches in Pafos' box. Although he underperformed his expected goals (xG) of 1.41, his contribution was vital to Juventus' success.
This victory provides a much-needed boost for Juventus in their Champions League campaign. It highlights their ability to capitalize on key moments despite some shooting inaccuracies. The team will look to build on this momentum as they continue their European journey.
