It was a tough night all round, but especially for manager Dick Schreuder. He stuck with his preferred high defensive line even against a clearly stronger side, a decision that backfired badly and contributed heavily to the scoreline. Given the credit he built up after guiding the club through an excellent campaign last season, this result probably won't cost him his job just yet, but the pressure will certainly start creeping in.



Changes to the Squad Fail to Make a Difference
Schreuder made four changes following last weekend's heavy loss to Cambuur, bringing in Dele Thomas, Bryan Linssen and Dusan Tadic in place of Adam Tahaui, Dennis Geiger and striker Kaj Sierhuis. NEC were also without regular goalkeeper Gonzalo Crettas, who is serving a suspension after being sent off during Champions League qualifying against Bodø/Glimt. Nikolas Polster stepped in between the posts instead.



Unfortunately, the change in personnel didn't change the story. NEC's poor early-season form carried straight into Turin, and the damage started early. Juventus keeper Kamil Grabara sent a long ball straight through the heart of the NEC defence in the ninth minute, and when Polster rushed out to deal with it, he missed the ball entirely.

Nico Gonzalez was left with the simplest of finishes to make it 1-0.

Juventus Pile on the Goals Before the Break
Polster did make amends briefly, deny.