Woltemade fights, works and scores for Juventus in the Europa League

In the stadium of Celta de Vigo, where Juventus Turin won 2-1, Nick Woltemade again showed his fighting spirit: he scored the late equaliser that only brought the game back into stoppage time.

Woltemade: From Stuttgart to Turin

The €75‑million transfer from VfB Stuttgart to Newcastle United last year was spectacular, but the subsequent loan to Juventus did not see Woltemade return in top form. In his first Premier League season he scored eight goals and provided three assists, before he was loaned out after only four appearances in Juventus's Serie A side – a total of 78 minutes.

At Juventus he has so far only featured in the Europa League. In the 5-0 victory over NEC Nijmegen he was already in Luciano Spaletti's starting eleven, and against Celta Vigo he repeated his goal threat.

Hard work against Celta Vigo

The match was characterised by intense man‑marking from centre‑back Yoel Lago; Woltemade was frequently held by the shirt and only rarely punished by referee Sander van der Eijk. Nevertheless he created several chances: in the 40th minute he hit the post narrowly, two minutes later he missed the pass for Kerim Alajbegović, and in the 52nd minute he would have earned an assist for Francisco Conceição.

Nick Woltemade helps Juventus after win vs Celta Vigo in Europa League

The actual goal came in the 58th minute, when Marcos Alonso missed a cross that Woltemade coolly converted. The goal was enough to bring Juventus back into the game and to set up the late finish for Kolo Muani.

In the Europa League table Juventus now sit higher with six points from two matches and have good chances of reaching the knockout phase. Whether Woltemade's goal helps him play regularly again in Serie A and remain in Jürgen Klopp's focus remains uncertain.

At the same time Jürgen Klopp surprised many with the selection of his 44‑man double squad for the Nations League matches of the German national team, by including the German striker Nick Woltemade even though he is not in top form.

Francisco Conceição reacts violently after being substituted against Celta de Vigo

In contrast, Nicolo Tresoldi, who rose to become the top scorer in DFB history in the German U21 team and recently led Inter Milan to a 4-3 win over FC Brugge, was not included in the squad. He still faces the decision of whether to play for Germany or his birth country Italy.