Ivan Perisic’s goal was not enough to save PSV Eindhoven from a 2-1 defeat against Juventus in the first leg of their Champions League playoff. Despite the narrow loss, the Croatian veteran remains optimistic about his team’s chances in the return leg next week at the Philips Stadion.
Speaking to PSV’s official channels, Perisic reflected on his return to Europe’s elite competition. “I played my last Champions League game two years ago, and it feels great to be back in this competition. Thanks to the team for the incredible work they did in the group stage and also in this match. We played very well, we fought hard, but small details made the difference,” he said. Looking ahead to the second leg, he added, “Now we have another game at home, and with the help of our fans, I’m sure we can qualify. We played well when we had possession, even against a great team like Juventus. We must keep believing that we can score goals and advance.”
Perisic also spoke about Juventus as an opponent, drawing on his extensive experience facing them during his time in Serie A. “Juve is a great club. I’ve played many games against them, and it’s always tough. We prepared well for this match, but as I said, there’s still the return leg to play. I believe in my team, and with a bit more luck, we can make it through,” he stated. When asked if he was happy about scoring, Perisic was clear: “No, I’m never happy when we lose. But as I said, there’s still the second leg, and I’m convinced we’ll make it.”
Analyzing PSV’s performance in Turin, Perisic acknowledged their slow start but emphasized the need for improvement next week. “In the first half, we played too defensively and lost too many easy balls, giving them chances. Next week, we need to play more offensively. To qualify, we have to win—it’s that simple,” he concluded.
