01 November 1897
Juventus’ Primavera gave an excellent account of themselves this weekend at a pre-season competition hosted by FC Aesch in Basel.
On their way to an unfortunate penalty shootout reverse at the hands of the hosts, the Bianconeri had impressed with wins over Red Bull Salzburg (2-1), Fulham (1-0) and Real Madrid (4-0).
Despite succumbing to Basel 9-8 on penalties in the tournament’s final, Fabio Grosso will take his side back to Turin with plenty of positives on which to build for the coming season.
Facing top class opposition in excellent facilities, this weekend’s experience will stand the Primavera in good stead for the challenges to come.
Having emerged from their four-team group containing Fulham, Salzburg and Basel over the course of Friday and Saturday, Juve’s young guns set up a semi-final meeting with Real Madrid.
The performance and ensuing 4-0 victory would be the highlight of the weekend. Goals from Grigoris Kastanos and Nicolo Pozzebon either side of a brace from King Udoh crowned a stellar display by Grosso’s boys.
Lineups for the final
BASEL 1- 1 JUVENTUS (BASEL WIN 9-8 ON PENALTIES
* Juventus*: Vitali, Lirola (10' Eleuteri), Zappa (10' Beruatto), Pellizzari (19' Severin), Vogliacco (34' Bove), Romagna, Cassata (34' Pellini), Sakor, Favilli (34' Udoh), Kastanos, Muratore (10' Pozzebon).
Substitutes: Del Favero, Consol, Coccolo, Morselli, Arras..
*
Basel*: Ghande, Petretta, Cumart, Pacheco,Uruejoma, Liechei, Pululu, Adamcyk, Vogrig, Rashiti, Schmid.
- Substitutes: *Kranzle, Pepsi, Conus, Kaiser, Schmidt, Zenuni, Kotlar, Zunig, Riccio, Tausch, Heric, Mushkolas, Micelli.
In the tournament’s showpiece, the Bianconeri once again played out a tight draw with Basel, as the game ended 1-1 at the end of normal time.
Udoh’s decisive penalty miss in the ensuing shoot-out should do nothing to undermine what was a productive and promising weekend for Fabio Grosso and his charges against some of Europe’s best young talent.
