Nantes and Juventus go into their Europa League last-16 playoff second leg with everything to play for. The first leg finished 1-1 with neither side able to get the upper hand.
On Thursday night, one of these teams will progress, while the other will have their European adventure ended.
Final fine-tuning before flying to France 🎛️ pic.twitter.com/JllYI4e7Ir— JuventusFC 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@juventusfcen) February 22, 2023
Final fine-tuning before flying to France 🎛️ pic.twitter.com/JllYI4e7Ir
The first leg in Turin started well for Juventus, as striker Dusan Vlahovic scored in the 13th minute. Nantes weathered the Bianconeri’s attacks and found an equaliser on the hour mark. Ludovic Blas found the back of the net for the French club, as the game finished 1-1.
The teams will play at Nantes’ Beaujoire Stadium, where the Canaries’ faithful will be in a strong voice. Nantes are the reigning Coupe de France winner and after a slow start to the season have improved significantly.
However, the Canaries fell 3-1 away to Lens at the weekend, as their eyes were certainly on the second leg versus Juventus.
The Italians are unbeaten in five straight matches in all competitions. Max Allegri’s team won 2-0 away to relegation-battling Spezia at the weekend. It was an important win, but Nantes will offer stronger opposition on Thursday.
Nantes have a 6W-5D-3L home record this season and a goal difference of zero. Juventus’ away record is 6W-2D-6L with a goal difference of –2. The road has not been kind to Juve this term.
Manager Antoine Kombouaré has four players in the treatment room ahead of the match on Thursday. Defenders Nicolas Pallois and Castelletto are both doubts to make the team.
Forwards Ignatius Ganago and Quentin Merlin are also doubts to play the second leg due to their respective injuries.
Juventus forward Federico Chiesa is battling to get fit in time for the fixture. He could return from a bout of physical discomfort. Midfielder Fabio Miretti has a sprained ankle and will miss the match.
Forward Arkadiusz Milik is a major doubt due to a muscle strain. Forward Kaio Jorge is also expected to miss the fixture following a tendon problem.
Nantes wouldn’t go away in the first leg of the Europa League last 16 against Juventus. The Bianconeri were expected to ease by the Canaries, but it didn’t happen in Turin. Juventus’ poor road record could see them fail to win once more.
Thursday’s Europa League playoff second leg between Nantes and Juventus should finish just like the first leg, in a 1-1 draw. The teams will need extra time and possibly penalties to sort out which side goes through.