Fabio Miretti scored the only goal as Juventus defeated Standard Liegi 1-0 in a pre-season friendly at the Maurice Dufrasne stadium in Liegi, Belgium on Thursday evening. The match marked Juventus’s second pre-season outing following a goalless draw against Basel.
Luciano Spalletti’s side, still integrating new signings and awaiting the return of international players, struggled to create clear-cut chances for much of the game. The victory came courtesy of a well-struck free-kick from Miretti in the 55th minute, his first goal since Vlahovic’s departure. The game highlighted the ongoing work in progress within the Juventus squad as they prepare for their Serie A opener against Frosinone on August 23rd.
Miretti, a product of the Juventus youth academy, has become an increasingly important figure in midfield for the Turin club. The 21-year-old made 19 Serie A appearances last season, starting 11 games, and contributing with one goal and two assists. He has demonstrated a willingness to contribute both defensively and offensively, and this goal serves as a positive sign of his development under Spalletti.
The first half saw a largely uneventful encounter, with Juventus struggling to break down a modest Standard Liegi side. Spalletti fielded a team largely comprised of younger players and those not involved in international duty. The second half saw an improved performance from Juventus following a series of substitutions, with Miretti’s introduction adding a spark to the midfield. The team showed more intent, and the goal came as a result of that increased pressure.
Juventus are still actively pursuing reinforcements in the transfer market, with reported interest in players like Kolo Muani and Zirkzee. The lack of a recognized striker was evident in the match against Standard Liegi, with Spalletti forced to experiment with different attacking options. The arrival of new forwards will be crucial for Juventus as they look to challenge for the Serie A title. Despite the ongoing transfer activity, Spalletti was keen to point to the positive of a clean sheet, stating that avoiding goals in these early friendlies builds confidence and aids the team’s preparation.
