Juventus Open US Tour With 2-0 Win Over Chivas Guadalajara as Di Maria and Pogba Make Debut | Watch Highlights
Paul Pogba flagged off his return to Italian Serie A giants, Juventus as the tam cruised to a 2-0 friendly victory over Mexico’s Chivas Guadalajara in Las Vegas to launch their US tour.
The French World Cup winning midfielder rejoined Juventus this month on a free transfer after winding down his contract with Manchester United, who he joined in 216 for a then-record fee of 105 million euros.
The 29-year-old made his presence felt in coach Massimiliano Allegri’s starting 11 at Allegiant Stadium, home of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders.
Former Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria also in the lineup and Brazilian defender Gleison Bremer coming on amid a raft of changes for the second half.
However, it was Marco Da Graca that fired Juventus ahead from close range in the 10th minute after Federico Gatti’s header from a corner was parried by the Chivas goalkeeper.
Mattia Compagnon added a second goal in the 80th minute after Tommaso Barbieri’s solo run into the area ended with his blocked shot veering straight to his teammate.
Allegri is counting on them to fill the gaps left by the departures of veteran Giorgio Chiellini, recently signed with Major League Soccer’s LAFC, leading scorer Paulo Dybala in a transfer to Roma and Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt’s move to Bayern Munich.
Last season, Juventus finished 4th and fell to Inter Milan in the Coppa Italia Final.
“Our duty is to win this year,” Allegri said in Vegas. “After winning trophies 10 years in a row, last year was our first without, so we (are) obliged to win and we all know that it’s an important year for us.”
Watch the highlights below.
