Juventus came from behind to beat Celta Vigo 2-1 at Estadio Balaidos, with Nick Woltemade scoring the equaliser and Randal Kolo Muani netting a stoppage-time winner. The result keeps Juventus unbeaten in the Europa League.
Juventus arrived at the top of the Europa League table after a 5-0 win over NEC. Their domestic form has been less convincing, as they drew 1-1 at Cagliari in Serie A. Injuries also continue to hurt the squad. Kenan Yildiz, Jeremie Boga, Khephren Thuram, Manuel Locatelli, Jeff Ekhator, Kamil Grabara and Arek Milik were all unavailable. Celta Vigo lost their opening match to Omonia Nicosia and were without Borja Iglesias, Pablo Duran, Jones El-Abdellaoui, Carl Starfelt and Miguel Roman.
The last meeting between the two sides was a memorable one. In March 2000, Celta Vigo won 4-0 at home in the UEFA Cup Round of 16, overturning a 1-0 first-leg defeat. Antonio Conte and Paolo Montero were both sent off in the first half of that match.
Celta take the lead through Hugo Alvarez
Celta started the stronger side. An early header from Willot Swedberg went straight at Guglielmo Vicario. Soon after, Celta broke the deadlock with a well-worked team move. The ball passed from right to left before Swedberg laid it off for Hugo Alvarez, who tapped in at the back post in the 18th minute.
Juventus struggle before the break
Juventus struggled to create clear chances in the first half. Teun Koopmeiners headed straight at the goalkeeper, and Pierre Kalulu saw a pull-back from 10 yards go unused after Koopmeiners failed to control it. Woltemade also blasted over the bar after letting a long ball bounce in the box.
Woltemade saw his effort charged down at the near post just after the restart. Radu then flew to push a Francisco Conceicao strike over the bar, and the Portugal international fired another attempt straight at him from the resulting corner.
Woltemade levels the score
Juventus finally equalised in the 58th minute. A Koopmeiners cross from the left was clumsily chested down by Marcos Alonso, which set up Woltemade to sweep the ball home from 12 yards.
Celta continued to threaten on the counter-attack. Rueda hit the side-netting from a Jutgla slide-rule pass, and Kalulu got back in time to block Jutgla. Pape Malang Sarr failed to capitalise on another poor Alonso clearance. Nico Gonzalez also had a good chance, twisting and turning in the box before bending a left-foot effort inches wide.
Kolo Muani wins it in added time
Juventus completed the turnaround in added time. Andrea Cambiaso whipped a cross in from the left, and Kolo Muani got between the defenders to nod home at the back post from close range in the 91st minute.
Woltemade praised his performance and his partnership with Kolo Muani after the match, saying it was his best game for Juventus. Kolo Muani also said Juventus play better with Woltemade on the pitch, as it gives him more freedom.