Monday 25 July 2016

Pjanic and Benatia set for Juventus debuts

Pjanic and Benatia set for Juventus debuts
The Bianconeri's new signings will line up against Tottenham in Tuesday's International Champions Cup clash, while Roberto Pereyra is also in the frame
Miralem Pjanic and Medhi Benatia will make their Juventus debuts against Tottenham in the International Champions Cup (ICC) on Tuesday, Massimiliano Allegri has confirmed.
Pjanic moved to Turin from Serie A rivals Roma this summer for €32 million, while Benatia joined in an initial loan deal from Bayern Munich, with the Italian champions holding an option to make it permanent.
The two signings missed out on Juve's defeat to Melbourne Victory on Saturday, but Massimiliano Allegri confirmed they will feature against the Premier League side.
"Benatia's going to play, as well as Pjanic and Roberto Pereyra," he said on Monday.
"We're probably going to play with four defenders but as a right-back, maybe I'm going to pick a young player or Alex Sandro."

A flat performance against Melbourne saw the Bianconeri lose on penalties in their ICC opener, but the coach has demanded a stronger display when they take on Mauricio Pochettino's men.
"Tuesday is going to be a very different game and I'm expecting that there is going to be more intensity," he said.
Allegri spent the first section of training working on defensive shape with a back five of Alex Sandro, Carlos Blanco, Benatia, Daniele Rugani and Kwadwo Asamoah.
After working with a quintet, Sandro and Blanco took turns on the sidelines as Allegri tested out a back four.
The defenders were forced to move from side to side on the pitch as Allegri and two of his assistants kept possession before the Juve coach tested them with a long-ball.
Possible Juve XI: Neto, Sandro, Benatia, Rugani, Asamoah, Hernanes, Lemina, Pjanic, Pereyra, Dybala, Cerri.

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