10 December 2025
The Juventus U20 side has been knocked out of European competition for this season, since a win was necessary to secure a spot in the next round of the UEFA Youth League, however the match against Pafos ended 2-2. Sadly Tiozzo's brace wasn't enough for the young Bianconeri to secure victory.
MATCH REPORT
At the Ale & Ricky pitch at the Allianz Training Center in Vinovo, the young Bianconeri got off to a flying start, immediately taking control of the match. The first real scare for Pafos came in the ninth minute: Tiozzo stepped up to take a set piece and fired confidently, only for the strike to be blocked by Petrou's fists. The visitors tried to make their presence felt with Terrones, who attempted to surprise Huli with a free kick, but the Bianconeri goalkeeper saved it easily.
Padoin's team, however, became much more dangerous on the half-hour mark when Bamballi met a cross from the right but his shot went just wide. The goal was coming, and duly arrived in the 36th minute. Sylla unleashed a right-footed shot from the edge of the box, Petrou failed to hold it, and Tiozzo was the quickest to the ball, scoring a tap-in from a tight angle making it 1-0. Before half-time, there was still time for a decisive intervention from Huli, who in the 41st minute stretched out to deflect Mavroudis's free kick, maintaining the lead at the break.
The second half began with Juventus dominating once more, with Tiozzo immediately doubling the lead in the 51st minute via a splendid team move which led to Durmisi's cross for Tiozzo, who was able to finish just under the crossbar. The Bianconeri then nearly made it three in the 63rd minute when Elimoghale fired off a powerful shot, but the post denied him. Three minutes later, the visitors closed the gap with Terrones, who was left free to strike on the counterattack in the penalty area. The final blow came with twelve minutes remaining: Terrones once again fired a precise right-footed shot into the corner to level the score. The Bianconeri mounted a final push into the Cypriot half in the dying seconds of the game, but without the desired result: the match ended 2-2, thus ending their Youth League season.
SIMONE PADOIN'S POST-MATCH COMMENTS
"There's disappointment. We were up by two goals and repeatedly missed chances to make it 3-0. It's difficult to react to this match, with so many opportunities to score and then a 2-2 final scoreline that condemns you to elimination from this competition. We lacked the cynicism in closing out the game, and that's something we need to work on: you have to face the chances you get with determination; if you give your opponent something, they'll punish you. The Youth League is a wonderful competition because you go up against the best teams in Europe, you compare yourself with so many teams, you notice the differences, and you see quality football."
