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Mbangula: ‘I can do much better, I apologise for my performance’ in 2-1 victory

February 12, 2025

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Mbangula: ‘I can do much better, I apologise for my performance’ in 2-1 victory

epa11889372 Juventus’ Samuel Mbangula celebrates scoring the 2-1 goal during the UEFA Champions League play-offs first leg soccer match between Juventus FC and PSV Eindhoven, in Turin, Italy, 11 February 2025. EPA-EFE/ALESSANDRO DI MARCO

Samuel Mbangula scored the Juventus winner to beat PSV Eindhoven 2-1, but could not bring himself to celebrate. ‘I know that I can do much better and I apologise for this performance.’

This result gives the Bianconeri a slender advantage going into the second leg of this Champions League play-off, which will be in Eindhoven on Wednesday February 19.

Weston McKennie had also scored when Juve won 3-1 here in September during the league phase and he broke the deadlock tonight too, smashing into the roof of the net on the half-volley from a Federico Gatti assist.

Former Inter winger Ivan Perisic sold Lloyd Kelly a dummy to equalise, although there were complaints about a potential Noa Lang handling offence in the build-up, before Mbangula turned in the rebound from a save on Francisco Conceicao.

Mbangula not happy with his first Champions League goal

TURIN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 11: Samuel Mbangula of Juventus celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off first leg match between Juventus and PSV at Allianz Stadium on February 11, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images) — TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 11: Samuel Mbangula of Juventus celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off first leg match between Juventus and PSV at Allianz Stadium on February 11, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

“It’s true that the victory was important today for our consistency in the competition, but the feeling I have is not particularly happy,” Mbangula told Sky Sport Italia.

“I scored a goal that let us win the game, but I am not happy with the way I played today. I know that I can do much better and I apologise for this performance.”

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Juventus 2-1 PSV

There is a recurring trend that Juventus have thrown leads away this season and a visible panic seems to strike them when conceding, so why does that happen?

“When we concede a goal, we must continue playing the way we did before, as we had control of the game. I know that with the quality we have in this squad, we can score many more goals and win many more games.”

Mbangula was asked if scoring his debut Champions League goal couldn’t elicit at least a smile?

“I know it’s my first Champions League goal, but it is difficult for me to smile when I know that my performance was not good.”

Juventus retake the lead

Conceição’s cross it spilled into the path of Samuel Mbangula fires high into the roof of the net

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/g1w10ncXer

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 11, 2025