Schuurs feels at home in Turin, but he still has to rein in Turin

Perr Schuurs, 26‑year‑old Dutch defender of NEC, feels at home in Turin but still needs to hold himself back, he says. The match against Juventus – also known as Juve – takes place on Thursday 17 September at the Allianz Stadium, a European group match of the Europa League.

Return to Turin after injury ordeal

Previously Schuurs played for Torino, where a series of injuries saw him go through the darkest period of his career. He says that he could not play for a long time, but is now finally fully recovered.

According to journalist Sander Janssen of VI, who wrote about Perr Schuurs, he is now fit and can’t wait to be on the pitch on Thursday. He emphasizes that the preparation is now complete and that he feels ready for the challenge.

Since the draw for the group stage of the Europa League, Schuurs has marked one match in his calendar: Juventus – NEC on 17 September. It is not only a clash with a European powerhouse, but also an emotional return to the city where he lived for many years.

In the press conference Schuurs said: “Tomorrow will be a special match for me.” He added: “I’m happy to be back, I want to win the match.” About former teammates he said: “I have spoken to several players and staff members of Torino; it’s always nice to see ex‑teammates.”

Schuurs feels at home in Turin; his hotel is close to the old apartment. He explains: “I am here to play and think only about that. It will not be an ordinary match, but a great challenge against one of the strongest teams in the world.”

The contrast between the warm homecoming and the need to still hold himself back underscores his focus on the future. He wants to leave the difficult period behind and fully concentrate on NEC’s success in Europe.