Juventus continued their build up to the new season with two useful 45-minute tests against Inter and Milan in the TIM Trophy.
The traditional triangular tournament, contested at the Stadio San Nicola in Bari, provided ideal match practice after nine days of solid preparations in Chatillon.
An early Coutinho strike was enough to hand the Nerazzurri all three points and deny a dominant Bianconeri the chance to get off the mark. Redemption was gained, however, against Milan, with Vucinic’s penalty proving the difference between the two sides.
For the opening encounter with Inter, Antonio Conte made three changes from the side that started Tuesday’s friendly against Aygreville. Lichtsteiner came in for Pepe on the right-hand side, Vidal replaced Padoin in midfield and Matri was given the nod ahead of Vucinic in attack.
Despite Conte’s men enjoying all the possession in the opening stages, it was Inter who went in front against the run of play. Milito’s clipped ball into the area caught out Lucio and Coutinho nipped in to sweep a low finish past Storari on 12 minutes.
The Bianconeri attempted to regain their momentum and fashioned a couple of goalscoring opportunities midway through the encounter. After winning a free-kick following a trip by Chivu, Vidal dusted himself to send an effort marginally over the bar.
The talismanic Chilean was at it again moments later, this time feeding Quagliarella, who struck a low left-footed shot straight at Handanovic. Asamoah was next to try his luck three minutes from time, sending a header over the bar after connecting with De Ceglie’s cross from the left-hand side.
The Ghanaian’s effort was the Bianconeri’s final attempt to salvage something from the encounter, with Inter eventually weathering the storm to hold out for all three points.
After a short breather, Juventus were back in action against the Rossoneri. Conte elected to keep faith with the back three, but shuffled his pack further forward. Pepe, Padoin and Ziegler stepped into midfield, while Boakye partered Vucinic in attack.
Storari was called into action within minutes of the starting whistle, getting down low to stop Taiwo’s free-kick and Boateng’s speculative strike.
Yet Juventus upped the ante and had a golden opportunity to take the lead after 15 minutes. Padoin broke into the box from midfield but failed to steer his low-left footed shot on target.
With twenty minutes remaining, Conte made a double substitution, replacing Storari with summer signing Leali and Vidal with Pazienza.
As the Bianconeri continued to grow in stature, their increased pressure was rewarded when Traore sent Vucinic tumbling in the box. The Montenegrin, who looked sharp throughout, stepped up to slot a clean strike into the bottom corner from 12 yards.
In truth, Juventus never looked in danger of conceding against their opponents, who lacked killer instinct in attack.
Aside from late injury concerns over Pepe, Vucinic and Caceres - with all three departing the action at differing stages against Milan – Conte will be satisfied with the Bianconeri’s overall display, whilst remaining aware of the need to keep working ahead of next Saturday's friendly fixture with Hertha Berlin.
JUVENTUS 0-1 INTER
GOALS: Coutinho 12
JUVENTUS
Storari; Lucio, Masi, Caceres; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Marrone, Asamoah, De Ceglie; Matri, Quagliarella.
Substitutes: Leali, Branescu, Ziegler, Untersee, Rugani, Appelt, Pazienza, Bouy, Schiavone, Pepe, Padoin, Boakye, Vucinic.
Manager: Conte
INTER
Handanovic; Jonathan, Ranocchia, Chivu, Mbaye (Silvestre 39); Zanetti, Cambiasso, Guarin, Coutinho (Nagatomo 34); Palacio (Longo 39) Milito.
Substitutes: Castellazzi, Benassi, Pasa, Bianchetti, Forte, Del Piero.
Manager: Stramaccioni
REFEREE: Russo
JUVENTUS 1-0 MILAN
GOALS: Vucinic 31
JUVENTUS
Storari (Leali 25); Lucio, Masi, Caceres (Lichtsteiner 45); Pepe (Untersee 39), Padoin, Vidal (Pazienza 26), Asamoah, Ziegler; Vucinic (Matri 45), Boakye.
Substitutes: Branescu, De Ceglie, Marrone, Rugani, Appelt, Bouy, Schiavone, Quagliarella.
Manager: Conte
MILAN
Amelia; De Sciglio, Bonera, Yepes, Taiwo; Traorè, Ambrosini, Emanuelson; Boateng; Robinho, El Shaarawy.
Subsitutes: Narduzzo, Pazzagli, Albertazzi, Acerbi, Antonini, Iotti, Mesbah, Cristante, Valoti, Carmona, Ganz, Prosenik.
Manager:Allegri
REFEREE: Guida
BOOKINGS: Robinho 34
Source: Juventus.com
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