Moise Kean missed two sitters, but also bundled over the line to give Juventus a hard-fought friendly win over Rijeka.
Max Allegri fielded the weakened Bianconeri squad, which is still missing numerous big names due to injury and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
It was a poor start from Max Allegri’s men, as Wojciech Szczesny and then a double Manuel Locatelli goal-line clearance kept Rijeka at bay.
Kean was deeply disappointing and wasted two golden opportunities by firing high and then nodding wide from six yards. Matias Soule combined with Arkadiusz Milik to curl off target and Riccio’s header was over from a Fabio Miretti free kick.
The deadlock was eventually broken by Kean, who ran into an Ake through ball and initially had fired straight at the goalkeeper, but a lucky ricochet fell into his path to bundle over the line.
This was only the second winter friendly for Juve after their 2-0 win away to Arsenal, but the atmosphere at the Allianz Juventus Stadium was sluggish, as it was played behind closed doors.
Juventus 1-0 Rijeka
Kean 73 (J)
Juventus: Szczesny (Perin 46); Riccio, Gatti, Huijsen (Compagnon 61); Kostic (Iling-Junior 46), Locatelli (Nonge Boende 76), Fagioli (Ake 46), McKennie, Soulè (Barbieri 61); Kean (Mbangula 76), Milik (Barrenchea 46)
I doubt if this had been Inter Big Suz would have written it with such a miserable tone.
dear lord, beat a nobody Croatian team 1-0