Juventus were beaten 2-0 by Ligue 1 side Marseille in a friendly at the Stade Velodrome on Saturday afternoon, as the French outfit lifted the Trophee Robert Louis-Dreyfus
Smart play from both sides provided numerous opportunities throughout the game, yet it was the home team who capitalised on their chances with a goal either side of the half-time whistle from wingers Romain Alessandrini and Abdelaziz Barrada.
Juventus opened the match in fiery style and almost came close to an opener twice within the first five minutes.
A stinging pass from Paul Pogba set new signing Mario Mandzukic through on goal, only for the Croatian international to be cruelly denied by the swift Nicolas Nkoulou.
Alvaro Morata was gifted a golden chance from the resulting corner after a poor clearance, however he only managed to fire high and wide from five yards out.
The Bianconeri continued to press high and dominate proceedings, with the next chance of the game falling to Sami Khedira, however poor finishing spurned yet another opportunity.
The French side began to grow in confidence in a period which saw successive shots from outside the box, one of which hammered against the post as Alessandrini tried his luck. Marseille’s first clear cut chance didn’t arrive until ten minutes later however, when Florian Thauvin forced Gianluigi Buffon into a diving save.
The first half looked set to end goalless though a moment of magic from Alessandrini saw his side go into the break ahead, as he spotted Buffon off his line and duly chipped the Italian from over 30 yards out.
The action was not to end just there however, as Juve full-back Stephan Lichtsteiner was shown an avoidable red card just minutes before the end of the first 45 minutes for dissent.
Marseille came close to doubling their lead early on in the second half through a sweetly struck volley by defender Benjamin Mendy, though Buffon came to Juventus’ rescue beating the ball wide.
Pogba was then presented with the perfect chance to equalise for Juve with a free-kick inches outside of Steve Mandanda’s box, however the Frenchman’s strike could only hit the outside of the post.
The introductions of youngsters Paulo Dybala and Simone Zaza failed to earn the visitors a way back into the game that they so desperately sought after, with Barrada putting the result beyond doubt with a neat volley in the dying minutes.
The loss means Juventus have now lost two of their last three friendly matches.
