17 August 2019
Juventus secured a 1-0 win over Triestina in their final pre-season outing, courtesy of a stunning ‘cucchiaio’ goal by Dybala.
The Bianconeri returned to the ground of Nereo Rocco Stadium eight years after that historic and wonderful day in which they won their first of the eight historic Scudetti, against Cagliari. For the fans, the players and the club, the venue still holds warm emotions and today they claimed a win in front of a packed stadium.
The opening half hour of the game saw the two teams inflict little chances on the opposition’s goal, with the best effort in the opening stanza coming when Paulo Dybala was fed through a ball by Adrien Rabiot. He then struck a curling effort at goal, which saw Offredi brilliantly palm the Argentine’s effort over the cross bar to keep the scoreline at 0-0.
DYBALA SCORES MAGESTIC GOAL
La Joya then broke the scoreline in the most sublime fashion. Federico Bernardeschi fed the ball through to him inside the box, Dybala then turned on the ball before chipping over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net in the 38th minute of the game. Douglas Costa then came close to doubling the lead after he unleashed a ball that skipped across the face of goal following his electric run.
MISSED PENALTY
The resumption of the game saw Sami Khedira sting the palms of Offredi in the opening minutes of the second half, while the referee then pointed to the spot for a penalty after Bernardeschi was brought down inside the box. Dybala stood up to take the spot kick, but he was denied by Offredi, who read the path of the ball and parried it away.
RAMSEY HANDED DEBUT
Szczesny was called into action on the stroke of the hour, with an effort that forced the Polish goalkeeper to move in full-stretch, pulling off a lovely save to deny the hosts. Cuadrado, Demiral, de Ligt, de Sciglio, and Mandzukic were all introduced into the fray, along with Emre Can, Bentancur, Matuidi and Higuain several minutes later. Aaron Ramsey eventually received his Juventus debut when he came on for Bernardeschi in the 70th minute of the game.
No more goals followed in the remaining minutes of the game, with Ramsey leaving the crowd on the edge of their seats following a quick one-two with Higuain that saw him unleash an effort at goal.
Juventus: Szczesny; Danilo (Caudrado 61’), Bonucci (Demiral 61’), Chiellini (de Ligt 61’), Alex Sandro (de Sciglio 61’); Khedira (Emre Can 65’), Pjanic (Bentancur 65’), Rabiot (Matuidi 65’); Bernardeschi (Ramsey 70’), Dybala (Mandzukic 61’), Douglas Costa (Higuain 65’)
