Juventus were beaten 1-0 by Serie B side Cremonese in a training-ground friendly at Continassa on Friday afternoon, despite fielding a strong team including Gleison Bremer, Weston McKennie and Randal Kolo Muani.
The match was arranged to provide playing time for first-team players not involved in the extra-long September-October international break, as well as those returning from injury. Andrea Cambiaso was among those given an opportunity to build up his fitness.
Juventus were without the called-up Zeki Celik, Francisco Conceicao, Teun Koopmeiners, Douglas Luiz, Kerim Alajbegovic, Jhon Lucumi, Guglielmo Vicario, Nico Gonzalez, Pape Matar Sarr and Nick Woltemade.
The Bianconeri also remain without several first-team players because of injury, including Kenan Yildiz, Khephren Thuram, Manuel Locatelli, Jeff Ekhator, Juan Cabal and Kamil Grabara.
Luciano Spalletti nevertheless named a relatively experienced defence, with Federico Gatti, Bremer, Daniele Rugani and Lloyd Kelly starting in front of veteran goalkeeper Carlo Pinsoglio. New signing Neto is continuing to work on his fitness and match sharpness.
McKennie began in midfield alongside Cambiaso, who operated centrally in front of the defence, according to Juventus’ post-match report. They were joined by 19-year-old Next Gen midfielder Grady Makiobo.
Kolo Muani led the attack, supported by 21-year-old Luca Amaradio and 19-year-old Josue Grelaud.
Cremonese took the lead after 12 minutes in Turin. Federico Bonazzoli completed a well-worked move inside the penalty area after the attack had moved through Giuseppe Pezzella, Salvatore Elia and Adin Licina, who is on loan from Juventus.
Spalletti made a series of changes at half-time, giving several available Next Gen players a chance to feature. Among them were Davide Marchisio, the son of former Bianconeri player and Italy international Claudio Marchisio, and Alfonso Montero, son of Paolo Montero.
Juventus: Pinsoglio; Gatti, Bremer, Rugani, Kelly; McKennie, Cambiaso, Makiobo; Amaradio, Grelaud; Kolo Muani.
Substitutes: Radu, Mangiapoco, Rizzo, Durmisi, Corigliano, Montero, Brancato, Ripani, Marchisio, Savio, Corradi, Guerra.
Cremonese: Agazzi; Pezzella, Barbieri, Luperto, Baschirotto, Licina, Gerli, Collocolo, Grassi, Elia, Bonazzoli.
Substitutes: TBC.
Scorer: Bonazzoli 12’.
