Juventus 2-0 Bayern Munich
A first-half double from Andrea Favilli won this clash of the big guns in Philadelphia, giving Max Allegri’s Juventus a great start in the ICC 2018.
This match-up is a true battle of the heavyweights, with major stars such as Giorgio Chiellini, Miralem Pjanic and Federico Bernardeschi lining up for the Bianconeri against Franck Ribery, Sandro Wagner and David Alaba for Bayern.
However, it was the young debutant Favilli who stole the show as Allegri’s Italian champions withstood a Bayern onslaught to run out winners. Our ICC 2018 predictions pointed to a tight game, and despite the two-goal margin, Juventus were on the back foot for much of the match before coming out on top.
Highlights of the game
Favilli looks like he could be a great signing following his £6 million switch from Serie B club Ascoli. The 21-year-old appears to have the killer instinct and a cool head in front of goal, as he announced himself with two super calm finishes at the Lincoln Financial Field.
This was Favilli’s return after leaving the Bianconeri for Ascoli in 2016. Two years playing time have done him good though, and it looks like he could be ready to stake a claim for a place in Juventus’ defence of the Scudetto.
Favilli signalled his intentions early, stinging the palms of Bayern keeper Sven Ulreich with a ferocious drive. It wasn’t long before he opened his account, on 32 minutes, when he latched on to a poor pass from Bayern centre-back Josip Stanisic for an incisive finish.
His second, just eight minutes later, was equally clinical after he beat the offside trap and collected Alex Sandro’s through ball before smashing the ball past Ulreich.
Allegri has high hopes for another close season recruit, Emre Can, following the German midfielder’s summer move from Liverpool, but he had to pull his new man off just before halftime. Hopefully that was just a precaution as Can’s versatility, able to play in defence or midfield, will be a big asset for Juve this season.
New Juve goalkeeper Mattia Perin has big shoes to fill following the departure of Gigi Buffon for Paris and his own arrival from Genoa, but despite Bayern dominating possession, he had a fairly comfortable night when he was called into action in the game.
Perin dealt well with a wickedly curling effort from Ribery and was helped by his defence who cleared solidly after a couple of goalmouth scrambles. But that was about it.
Midway through the second half, Bayern substitute Woo-Yeong Jeong had a great chance to cut the deficit, but the teenager blasted way over with the goal gaping in front of him.
The young Korean had already had a lesson in cool finishing from Favilli. He’ll do well to watch the video and more ICC 2018 highlights.
Key statistics
Niko Kovac’s team won their opener against PSG and had enough of the ball to make it a second victory against Juventus, though the Bianconeri were typically well organised and saw out the game with few scares.
SBOBET tips have been in the Germans’ favour as they had won four of the last five, drawing the other, so this was a welcome win for Max Allegri’s men. Pre-season friendlies don’t win you points but they can give you a psychological advantage for the upcoming campaigns at home and in Europe.
Bayern’s experienced side dominated the game for long periods, with 69 percent possession. They also have a shot count of 20 to nine but most were wasteful as both sides registered six shots on target each.
Bayern’s highly impressive passing will have pleased Kovac, apart from Josip Stanisic’s back pass of course! The Bundesliga champions had 92 percent pass accuracy compared to Juve’s 81 percent.
It’s all very well keeping hold of the ball but you have to do something with it!
What’s next?
Juventus face Benfica on Saturday, a game which should be a good test for the Serie A champions. The Portuguese league runners-up were the first to overcome Borussia Dortmund in this year’s competition with a penalty shoot-out win, coming back from a two-goal halftime deficit to level with goals from Alfa Semedo and Andre Almeida.
Meanwhile, Kovac’s Bayern battle Manchester City next in another showdown of champions. The Sky Blues have already suffered two losses playing an inexperienced team—bowing down to Dortmund in the opener before succumbing to perennial punishers Liverpool—so I suspect Pep Guardiola may have something up his sleeve.
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