Three-Year Unbeaten Home Streak Shattered as Kolo Muani Strikes
A goal and an assist from forward Randal Kolo Muani secured a 2-1 victory for Juventus away at AZ Alkmaar in UEFA Europa League League Phase action on November 5, 2026. The result shattered AZ Alkmaar’s undefeated home European record, which had stood intact at the AZ Stadion since October 2023. Victory on matchday four consolidates the Serie A side’s progression efforts in the continental table while ending the Dutch team’s three-year home fortress status.
Right-Flank Reconfiguration Unlocks Offensive Geometry in Alkmaar
Tactically deployed along the right flank rather than his traditional drift to the left, Kolo Muani provided the crucial width and direct dribbling that broke through AZ Alkmaar‘s defensive block. The tactical shift paid immediate dividends when Kolo Muani picked out Teun Koopmeiners, who slotted home to open the scoring for the visitors. Kolo Muani subsequently doubled the lead himself, driving into space behind the back line to cap a performance that exploited the host side’s transitional vulnerability.
Federico Gatti
playerThe host side altered their offensive shape late in the match to press higher up the pitch, eventually reducing the deficit when striker Mexx Meerdink found the net. Despite a defensive workload that saw centre-back Federico Gatti step up to execute several late interventions, the visiting side contained the late pressure to seal all three points.
Gatti frequently pushed forward from his central defensive position into upper midfield lanes to disrupt buildup play before tracking back to clear threats inside the penalty area. His defensive work rate proved essential during the final sequence as AZ Alkmaar flooded the final third with extra runners in pursuit of an equalizer.
Juventus
clubGatti Emphasizes Fitness Through Pitch Time
Speaking to Sky Sport Italia following the final whistle, Gatti underscored the physical demands required to preserve defensive sharpness under sustained continental pressure.
I needed to be at 100 per cent fitness, because if you are not sharp, then an error is always behind the corner. The only way to get fully fit is by playing. It is a very good victory, it’s always hard away from home in Europe, but we need to set it aside straight away and get our Serie A standings back in shape.
The Italian defender also highlighted the tactical dynamic Kolo Muani brings when given license to attack defenders in isolated one-on-one situations across the forward line.
He is a great player with athleticism and characteristics that I think we don’t always make the most of, because I as a defender can tell you how hard it is to deal with him running at you.