04 September 2014
After a morning session dedicated to fitness drills, Massimiliano Allegri’s men took to the field at Juventus Center this afternoon to take on Turin-based outfit Pro Settimo Eureka in a practice match.
The 47-year-old was able to run the rule over his players’ condition, in particular the returning duo Andrea Barzagli and Alvaro Morata, with the former completing a 30-minute cameo in the first half.
It was summer signing Morata who began the game brightly. Picking the ball up on the right-wing, the young Spaniard drove to the by-line and his searching cross found Federico Mattiello who danced inside his marker before squaring for Carlos Tevez to tuck home after five minutes.
The goal certainly did little to dampen Pro Settimo Eureka’s spirits and the plucky Serie D side equalised ten minutes later when Dalla Costa met a corner to volley home past Marco Storari.
Chances were few and far between for the remainder of the first 45 minutes and Allegri was able to take Barzagli off on the half-hour mark in which the 33-year-old looked comfortable and assured.
Five minutes after the restart, the Bianconeri immediately retook the lead when Tevez’s accurate through-ball found substitute Sergio Buenacasa who waited for the goalkeeper to dive before lifting his finish high into the roof of the net.
While the Serie D pushed to get back into the affair, it was Juventus who would go on to establish a two-goal cushion. Simone Pepe’s angled cross found Fernando Llorente and the 29-year-old climbed above his marker to steer a bullet header past the goalkeeper’s despairing dive on 55 minutes.
Pro Settimo Eureka were handed a lifeline when Dalla Costa got his second with a confidently dispatched penalty on the hour mark but Roberto Pereyra’s precise volley re-established the Bianconeri’s two-goal lead five minutes later.
Cellano gave Pro Settimo Eureka another glimmer of hope when he finished off a flowing move on 76 minutes but late substitute Griogris Kastanos ensured the Old Lady would run out 5-3 winners when he found himself free in the area to slot under the goalkeeper.
Allegri will have been pleased with his side’s workout this afternoon, in particular demonstrating a strong attacking display, and the Tuscan coach will continue to prepare his team for next Saturday’s home match against Udinese at Juventus Stadium when they return to Vinovo for training tomorrow morning.
