Manuel Locatelli and Leonardo Bonucci scored in the traditional Juventus friendly against the Under-23 team, as John Elkann warned ‘Serie A is more difficult than in the past’ with Inter, Milan and Roma as Scudetto contenders.
The pre-season match has been played at Villar Perosa since 1959 and is attended by all members of the club hierarchy, including President Andrea Agnelli and EXOR chief John Elkann.
Locatelli found the net in the opening minutes, followed by a Bonucci header for a 2-0 lead, but the game only lasted 65 minutes before the equally-traditional pitch invasion from 2,500 fans.
Wojciech Szczesny had been expected to miss out, but made a brief appearance from the start despite muscular issues.
Juan Cuadrado was a last-minute absentee, joining Paul Pogba, Federico Chiesa, Weston McKennie and Mattia De Sciglio in the stands.
“We need to be wary, because Serie A is more difficult than in the past,” warned club patron and heir to the Agnelli family John Elkann on Sky Sport Italia.
“Inter are the strongest squad, built to win, without forgetting Milan and also Roma did great work on the transfer market.
“It won’t be easy for Juventus, Italian football has stepped up a level and it’s tough on the European level too.”
With Pogba injured, the biggest new signing for Juventus is Angel Di Maria, who was a free agent after leaving PSG.
“I think Di Maria will give a great deal to Italian football.”
Juventus A: Szczesny; Danilo, Bonucci, Bremer, Alex Sandro; Zakaria, Locatelli, Fagioli; Di Maria, Vlahovic, Kean
Image: @JuventusFC