Juventus will play Europa League football in the new year despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Matchday 6 of the Champions League.
Kylian Mbappe gave the Parisiens the lead on Wednesday evening before Leonardo Bonucci equalised for the Bianconeri. However, Nuno Mendes made an instant impact after replacing Juan Bernat and scored the winner in the second half.
With Benfica annihilating Maccabi Haifa 6-1, Juventus sealed third place in Group H and will keep playing European football in the second half of the 2022/23 season.
Juventus’ attacking efforts go unrewarded
Although Juventus were creating chances early in the game, it was Paris Saint-Germain who took the lead after 13 minutes when Mbappe beat two Bianconeri players and his low, bending shot went in off the post.
Les Parisiens came close to making it 2-0 when Wojciech Szczesny had to push away a Lionel Messi effort. The Bianconeri constantly went forward and Fabio Miretti was in a great position to level the scores but Marquinhos desperately slid in to block the shot.
La Vecchia Signora got a much-deserved equaliser though in the 39th minute when the ball was sent into the box, Juan Cuadrado headed it across goal, and although PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma got a touch, Bonucci slid in to score.
The second half started with more attacking play from Juventus, forcing Paris Saint-Germain to stay camped in their own half. However, Mbappe could have regained the lead for the Ligue 1 side when he was able to sprint clear but he shot straight at Szczesny.
PSG increased the tempo after news came through that Benfica were winning against Maccabi Haifa, putting the Portuguese giants on top of Group H.
Sergio Ramos forced a fine save out of Szczesny, and the French side did regain the lead when Mbappe played a through-ball to Mendes, who sprinted towards goal and beat Szczesny at the far post. Mendes had barely been on for a minute after replacing Juan Bernat.
Manuel Locatelli thought he had equalised but the goal was ruled out for offside, while there were calls for a penalty after Sergio Ramos obstructed Federico Chiesa but it did not go to a VAR review.
Juventus settle for the Europa League
Despite collecting just three points in Group H, Juventus will compete in the Europa League for the first time since 2013/14, which was also the last time La Vecchia Signora were eliminated from the group stage of the Champions League.
The Bianconeri reached the semi-finals of the Europa League, losing to Benfica on penalties. It remains to be seen if the current squad can come close to that.
