Capello: Juventus vs Pafos – Luck Favored Juve?

Former coach Fabio Capello is very critical of Juventus’ first-half performance despite a 2-0 win over Pafos: ‘They had luck on their side.’

Juventus secured their second win in the 2025-26 Champions League on Wednesday, beating Cypriot side Pafos 2-0 in Turin.

Weston McKennie and Jonathan David provided the goals for the Bianconeri in the second half, but the Serie A giants were lucky not to concede in the opening 45 minutes.

Fabio Capello (photo by jurij kodrun/getty images)

“Juve won and that’s fine, but it’s definitely not the Juve we all know. They were flat,” Capello told Sky Sport Italia via Corriere dello Sport.

“The opponents created much more in the first half, and the Bianconeri had luck on their side. They had four huge chances. Then, in the second half and after some substitutions, Juventus managed to win but I repeat, I really didn’t like them in the first half.”

NAPLES, ITALY – DECEMBER 07: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, reacts during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Juventus FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 07, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Juventus sit 17th in the Champions League table with nine points in six matches and will meet Benfica and Monaco in the last two games of the league phase.

Both matches will be played in January 2026.

They’ll first host Benfica on the 21st and then visit Monaco on the 28th.

Marcus Cole

Marcus Cole is a senior football analyst at Archysport with over a decade of experience covering the NFL, college football, and international football leagues. A former NCAA Division I player turned journalist, Marcus brings an insider's understanding of the game to every breakdown. His work focuses on tactical analysis, draft evaluations, and in-depth game previews. When he's not breaking down film, Marcus covers the intersection of football culture and the communities it shapes across America.

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