Juventus, languishing seventh in Serie A, clinched a Europa League top‑eight spot with a 1‑2 away win at AZ Alkmaar. Spalletti finally got it right by deploying Randal Kolo Muani on the right flank, and the Frenchman delivered both a goal and the assist for Teun Koopmeiners. Can the Bianconeri finally shake off their disappointment?
Just five minutes in, Muani carved out a chance, finding space behind Nick Woltemade. He entered the box and his cross‑shot rattled the post by inches.
Muani dominated the first half, engineering the opening strike in the 19th minute. He cut in from the right, nutmegged full‑back Mees de Wit, then slipped a back‑pass that Teun Koopmeiners slotted with his inside foot.
Koopmeiners a hometown hero
The 28‑year‑old Dutchman became a hero at his former club, netting against AZ — the academy that birthed him before his 2021 move to Atalanta. He also out‑performed his younger brother Peer, 26, who also plays midfield.
AZ managed a couple of early chances to level at 0‑1 but looked sluggish and wasted opportunities for most of the match. Juventus, by contrast, finally showed the cutting edge they’ve lacked this season.
Muani makes it 0‑2
In the 39th minute Muani reclaimed possession, linked up with Woltemade and, faster than AZ’s limp defence, unleashed a left‑footed strike from just outside the box.
After the break Juventus pressed repeatedly, testing a side that never truly threatened until the final fifteen minutes. Fresh‑face Kees Smit, returning after two months sidelined by an inguinal injury, saw the ball at 1‑2 after a neat hold inside the area, though his effort sailed over.
Will Juventus build on this momentum to reach the quarter‑finals?
Two minutes before full‑time, a quiet Mexx Meerdink sparked drama, finding the net for 1‑2 after a swift right‑wing move involving Ayoub Oufkir and Elijah Dijkstra, whose killer pass set up the Dutch youngster who’s impressing Xavi Hernández’s national side.
Juventus slipped from control as added time saw the referee chalk off De Wit’s goal for off‑side before Smit’s effort. AZ, with six points, dropped to 14th, outside the top eight.