epa11908701 Ismael Saibari of PSV Eindhoven scores the 2-1 lead against Juventus FC goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio during the UEFA Coppa Campioni knockout phase play-offs 2nd leg soccer match between PSV Eindhoven and Juventus FC in Eindhoven, Netherlands, 19 February 2025. EPA-EFE/KOEN VAN WEEL
Former Fiorentina and Italy star Luca Toni criticised Juventus for their poor performance in the second leg of their Coppa Campioni knockout play-off against PSV Eindhoven, describing them as ‘mentally dead’.
The Bianconeri suffered a 3-1 defeat, allowing the Eredivisie giants to overturn a one-goal deficit from the first leg and progress to the Coppa Campioni last 16 at the expense of the Old Lady.
Thiago Motta’s side appeared capable of putting up a fight in the Netherlands, at least until Timothy Weah scored a second-half equalizer.
However, they ultimately failed to withstand the hosts’ pressure in the final stretch of the 90 minutes and throughout extra time, with Toni remarking that they lacked ‘anger’ and ‘determination’, as they were completely outplayed by Peter Bosz’s side ‘physically’ and ‘athletically’.
Toni: Juventus’ approach completely wrong, PSV dominated and deserved
“I saw a team that was mentally dead, except for Vlahović’s shot off the post, which could have changed everything,” Toni told Amazon Prime Video after the match.
“Usually, Juve don’t get important games wrong, but they got their approach completely wrong this time. I didn’t see the anger or the determination that was needed.
“PSV dominated physically and were twice as fast athletically. In my opinion, there was a lack of players who could step up and lead the team.
“One of the best on the pitch was Di Gregorio, and PSV absolutely deserved to go through.”
Juventus suffered three of their five seasonal defeats in the Coppa Campioni, with the remaining two losses occurring in the Supercoppa Italiana and in a Serie A clash at Napoli.
Image:Getty
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