Matri’s Juve beat Malaga

Juventus” data-scaytid=”1″>Juventus prepared for the Super Cup by beating Malaga 2-0 with Alessandro Matri’s brace, but more importantly Massimo Carrera in Antonio Conte’s place.

Juventus prepared for the Super Cup by beating Malaga 2-0 with Alessandro Matri’s brace, but more importantly Massimo Carrera in Antonio Conte’s place.

On Saturday night the team took to the field in Salerno for a prestigious friendly, their final test ahead of the August 11 Italian Super Cup clash with Napoli in Beijing.

Surprisingly, Conte and assistant manager Angelo Alessio were in the stands, as they are prepared for a potential 15-month ban in the betting trial.

Preparing for what may well be a long-term solution, assistant Carrera took over on the bench for the first time.

It proved a successful debut for the new ‘Coach’ – although even if he is suspended, Conte will still be able to train the team on a day-to-day basis, as the ban only applies on match days.

Juve confirmed their 3-5-2 system and broke through straight away when Sebastian Giovinco’s cross from the left was knocked down by Simone Padoin for a smart Matri turn.

Malaga, who finished fourth in La Liga last season, kept possession without making much of an impact. Joaquin blasted well over, while the goalkeepers needed tough saves to deny Jesus Gamez, Matri and a Giovinco free kick.

Malaga went much closer at the dawn of the second half when Isco’s right-foot shot clipped the crossbar.

However, moments later Padoin’s deflected cut-back reached Matri to tap in at the back post and double Juve’s lead.

Matri and Giovinco impressed with their rapport, though Storari was needed on Isco and Joaquin to keep the clean sheet.

Notably, Leonardo Bonucci made a late appearance as a substitute just hours after he was in court in Rome over the betting scandal.

Juventus 2-0 Malaga

Scorers: Matri 3, 51 (J)

Juventus: Storari (Leali 90); Lichtsteiner (Bonucci 77), Marrone (Rugani 90), Lucio (Masi 77); Padoin (Untersee 77), Vidal (De Ceglie 46) (Ziegler 90), Pirlo (Pogba 77), Marchisio (Pazienza 90), Asamoah (Giaccherini 77); Giovinco (Boakye 77), Matri (Quagliarella 77)

Malaga: Caballero; Jesus Gamez (Sanchez 59), Demichelis, Mathijsen (Weligton 46), Monreal (Eliseu 86); Joaquin (Buonanotte 79), Maresca (Camacho 59), Toulalan, Isco (Duda 86), Portillo; Fernandez (Juanmi 59)