McKennie and David Seal Crucial Victory for Juventus

Both Juventus and Pafos entered this Champions League clash desperately needing three points, with the teams locked together on six points in 22nd and 24th place respectively. The Bianconeri's European campaign had stuttered through draws and inconsistent performances, while the Cypriot visitors arrived in Turin knowing only victory would keep their knockout stage dreams alive. Juventus ultimately secured a 2-0 victory that breathed new life into their continental ambitions, though both sides remain precariously positioned in the expanded tournament format.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 67th minute when Weston McKennie rifled home from the right side of the box, converting Andrea Cambiaso's precise delivery following a corner kick. The American midfielder's right-footed strike found the top right corner with clinical precision, rewarding Juventus for their sustained pressure. Just five minutes later, Jonathan David doubled the advantage with a composed finish from the centre of the box, slotting his right-footed effort into the bottom right corner after Kenan Yildiz orchestrated a devastating fast break that caught Pafos' defense scrambling.

The tactical battle centered around Juventus' patient build-up play against Pafos' compact defensive structure. Manuel Locatelli anchored the midfield before his substitution, while Teun Koopmeiners pulled the strings in advanced positions. Fabio Miretti provided energy and pressing intensity, though he picked up a yellow card for a robust challenge on David Luiz. Pafos relied heavily on the creativity of Mislav Orsic and the defensive solidity of David Goldar, who marshaled their backline admirably until the crucial final quarter.

Juventus dominated possession with 61.4% of the ball and registered five shots on target compared to Pafos' three, but the statistics masked a more competitive encounter than the scoreline suggested. The visitors created several promising moments, with Pêpê Rodrigues firing just over from distance during a swift counter-attack in the 61st minute. Michele Di Gregorio proved alert when called upon, making a crucial save from João Correia's effort in the 79th minute to preserve the clean sheet.

The turning point arrived with Juventus' tactical adjustment around the hour mark, introducing Loïs Openda for Manuel Locatelli to add more attacking impetus. This shift in formation stretched Pafos' defensive lines and created the space that McKennie exploited for the opener. The American's goal visibly deflated the visitors, who had defended resolutely for over an hour but couldn't maintain their discipline once the floodgates opened.

Juventus now prepare to host Manchester United on December 17 in what promises to be a pivotal encounter for both clubs' European aspirations. Pafos face an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout stages, needing to maximize points from their remaining fixtures while hoping other results fall favorably in this unpredictable Champions League campaign.