Juventus registered their first pre-season success of the summer with a 1-0 victory away to Standard Liege in Belgium. The match, which served as the second test for the Bianconeri during their preparations following a 0-0 draw against Basel last weekend, saw Fabio Miretti score the game's only goal to secure the result.
Head coach Luciano Spalletti managed the squad without several key first-team players who remain on holiday following their participation in the 2026 World Cup. Notable absences included Gleison Bremer, Weston McKennie, Francisco Conceicao, and Jonathan David, while Khephren Thuram and Kenan Yildiz were also sidelined as they continue their recovery to full fitness.
The Juventus starting lineup featured a blend of youth and experience. With Lois Openda, the only available senior centre-forward, left out of the starting XI due to an imminent loan move to Lyon, 18-year-old striker Arman Durmisi was given the opportunity to lead the attack. He was supported by Vasilije Adzic and Jeremie Boga, while Manuel Locatelli and Douglas Luiz anchored the midfield.
Standard Liege started the match with high intensity, putting pressure on the Juventus defense early on. The hosts created their first significant opportunity 10 minutes in when Gustav Mortensen delivered a cross for Timothe Nkada, though the forward could not convert. Later in the half, an error from Andrea Cambiaso in the 22nd minute nearly allowed the hosts to take the lead, but Federico Gatti intervened with a crucial block on a shot from Alexis Trouillet. Midfielders Douglas Luiz and Manuel Locatelli also saw efforts sail over the crossbar before the interval.
At halftime, Spalletti introduced several changes and adjusted the tactical formation from a 3-4-2-1 to a 4-2-3-1. Mattia Perin, Zeki Celik, Joao Mario, Arthur Melo, Fabio Miretti, and Justin Oboavwoduo were all brought onto the pitch. The tactical shift paid off 10 minutes into the second half when Miretti slammed a powerfully-driven free-kick from the edge of the penalty area into the back of the net. Miretti nearly doubled his tally shortly after, but he was off-balance when he triggered his shot, and Ibe Hautekiet was grateful to have secured a late block.
Standard Liege fielded Epolo, Mortensen, Hautekiet, Karamoko, Drammeh, Fossey, Ilaimaharitra, Trouillet, Nielsen, Abid, and Nkada. The Juventus first-half XI (3-4-2-1) consisted of Di Gregorio, Kalulu, Gatti, Kelly, Cambiaso, Locatelli, D.Luiz, Licina, Adzic, Boga, and Durmisi. The second-half XI (4-2-3-1) featured Perin, Celik, Kalulu, Kelly, J.Mario, Arthur, Locatelli, Cambiaso, Miretti, Oboavwoduo, and Boga.
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