Juventus’ Bosnian forward #17 Kerim Alajbegovic (R) shoots and scores his team's second goal during the UEFA Europa League 1st round day 1 football match between Juventus and NEC Nijmegen at the Allianz Stadium in Turin on September 17, 2026.
Juventus’ Bosnian forward #17 Kerim Alajbegovic (R) shoots and scores his team's second goal during the UEFA Europa League 1st round day 1 football match between Juventus and NEC Nijmegen at the Allianz Stadium in Turin on September 17, 2026.
NEC were hammered in their first game in the main stage of European competition for 18 years, away to Juventus on Thursday. The Nijmegenaren continued their dreadful start to the season with a 5-0 defeat in the UEFA Europa League.
It was a disappointing evening for NEC and especially manager Dick Schreuder. The manager opted to continue playing a high line despite the clearly superior opponent; this led to the final result and could potentially increase any pressure on the manager, who has a lot of credit with the club after the magnificent season last year.
Dick Schreuder made four changes to the side that were heavily beaten by Cambuur last weekend. Dele Thomas, Bryan Linssen and Dusan Tadic were brought in to replace Adam Tahaui, Dennis Geiger, and striker Kaj Sierhuis. The side is also missing their first-choice keeper Gonzalo Crettas; he was suspended after a sending-off in the Champions League qualification against Bodø/Glimt. Nikolas Polster took the spot in goal.
NEC have had a dreadful start to the season, and the first half in Turin was a continuation of that. They conceded the first goal of the game in the ninth minute. Juventus keeper Kamil Grabara hit a long ball right through the middle of the NEC defence. Polster came out to clear the ball, but missed it completely, giving Nico Gonzalez a tap-in for 1-0.
Polster prevented his side from going 2-0 down in the 23rd minute by saving a header from Nick Woltemade, but this only delayed the inevitable as Juventus made it 2-0 30 seconds later. A through ball found Weston McKennie, who played a pass across to Kerim Alajbegovic, who thundered the ball into the corner.
It was 3-0 before halftime. Gonzalez received the ball in the box before being taken down by Almugera Kabar. The penalty was taken and scored by Woltemade.
The game was clearly won with Juventus calmly playing out the second half. Despite this, they managed two more goals. The fourth goal of the game was scored by Turkish right-back Zeki Celik after Randall Kolo Muani had dribbled past Perr Schuss before playing the ball across for a tap-in.
The fifth was another bit of dreadful defending by Schreuder’s side. As is the manager’s characteristic way, the Nijmegenaren played a high line which was easily bypassed with a high pass. Kolo Muani was in with Polster once again coming out and making a hash of it; he arrived too late to the ball on this occasion, with the Frenchman going past the keeper before rolling the ball into an empty net.
NEC returns home to face Go Ahead Eagles on Sunday in the Eredivisie before the international break. Their continental campaign will resume next month in the Europa League league phase with a home fixture against Bulgarian side Levski Sofia.