Juventus commenced their pre-season campaign with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Basel at the St. Jakob-Park. The Swiss side, managed by former Bianconeri defender Stephan Lichtsteiner, appeared physically sharper due to being further ahead in their summer preparation. Despite the stalemate, Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti expressed reasonable satisfaction with his squad's output, considering the team had only recently commenced training at the Continassa base with numerous regular starters still absent.
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Subscribe Sekarang →According to post-match reports from Sky Sport, Spalletti acknowledged the tactical challenges of the early fixture but praised his players" application. "It could have been difficult to see tactical plots, but the boys did it and did it well. There was a bit of imprecision in the choices at certain important moments," Spalletti remarked. He further highlighted that the squad created several scoring opportunities in the first half, which were ultimately thwarted by the quality of the opposition goalkeeper.
The match proved frustrating for summer signing Jeff Ekhator, who earned a starting spot but was forced off after just thirty minutes due to a physical ailment, replaced by Openda. Speaking on the injury, the Juventus manager noted that Ekhator became visibly nervous after struggling to integrate into the rhythm of the game before feeling discomfort in his muscle. Spalletti added that the player's true quality is already well-known to the staff, meaning there is no immediate anxiety regarding his long-term integration.
Much of the post-match analysis focused on Douglas Luiz, who returned to Turin determined to revive his Juventus career after mixed loan spells at Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa. Spalletti demanded a higher work rate from the Brazilian midfielder, noting, "I saw some positive signs. I expect him to raise the engine revs and produce the volume that suits complete players." The manager emphasized that while Luiz possesses exceptional quality in tight spaces, he must show greater defensive commitment and "work hard across 30 meters of the pitch" for the collective benefit of the team.
Editorial monitoring notes a significant transition occurring within the squad, particularly regarding the goalkeeper position. While Michele Di Gregorio featured in the match, Spalletti confirmed that Juventus management is actively seeking internal competition for every role, with ongoing transfer market links to targets like Emiliano "Dibu" Martinez and Guglielmo Vicario. Furthermore, young prospects like Licina made their debuts, with Spalletti urging the academy graduates to display strong character and immediately assume responsibility on the senior pitch.
Opposing manager Stephan Lichtsteiner shared an emotional reunion with his former club, expressing immense pride in his seven successful years wearing the Juventus jersey. Reflecting on the current hierarchy, the Basel coach voiced total confidence in Spalletti's capability to guide the Bianconeri back into the UEFA Champions League. Meanwhile, Juventus winger Jeremie Boga spoke on his permanent stay at the club, reiterating his readiness to adapt to any attacking position and expressing a strong desire to make amends for the disappointments of the previous season.