Juventus are back in pre-season action on Saturday night as they take on Monza in the Luigi Berlusconi Trophy.
The Bianconeri kicked off their pre-season campaign with a 3-1 victory over Cesena last weekend. Weston McKennie was on the scoresheet as a young Juve side impressed. However, with the vast majority of the first-team squad now back in Turin following their post-Euros and Copa America vacations, things will certainly start to feel a little more real in Saturday’s friendly.
Alvaro Morata and Rodrigo Bentancur were the latest to return to Continassa in the week.
Nevertheless, there’s expected to be yet another healthy dose of young talent on display at the “U-Power Stadium” and here are four to keep an eye out for.
Koni De Winter
19-year-old Koni De Winter opened the scoring last weekend with a thunderous strike across goal from the edge of the area. The full-back’s been the subject of interest from Southampton and Brighton of the Premier League, but Juve will be desperate to keep hold of him this summer.
De Winter’s a leading figure in the club’s academy and has been tipped by some to reach star status in Turin should his career trajectory stay on course.
The teenager’s poised to be in Allegri’s starting XI on Saturday with Danilo and Juan Cuadrado yet to return for pre-season and he’s someone for Juventini to keep a close eye on.
Filippo Ranocchia
Perugia-born Filippo Ranocchia is yet to test himself at a senior level, but last week’s performance suggests he’s capable of making the step up.
The defensively astute midfielder was one of the star performers for the Under-23’s last season and is rated alongside Nicolo Fagioli as future Juve first-teamers in the middle of the park.
Allegri is said to be keeping a close eye on Ranocchia, with the 20-year-old set to start alongside Adrien Rabiot and Weston McKennie in midfield (4-3-3) on Saturday.
Felix Correia
Felix Correia is a prospect Juventini got a brief glimpse of towards the end of last season as he made his senior debut off the bench in a dramatic 2-1 victory over Udinese. Those five minutes were all we caught of Correia last season, however.
The 20-year-old’s starred with the Under-23’s in Serie C and he’ll be looking to prove his worth to Allegri in pre-season. He was bright for an hour before his substitution against Cesena.
The dynamic wide man has garnered comparisons to compatriot Nani as a result of the energy he exudes when the ball’s at his feet. He’s unpredictable, nimble and a fine technician. I’m backing Correia to enjoy a breakout season in Turin.
Matias Soule
Another goalscorer from last weekend, Matias Soule is likely to occupy one of the flanks against Monza. The 18-year-old stole the show against Cesena and he capped off his showcase with an albeit fortunate strike for Juventus’ third.
The young Argentine boasts Dejan Kulusevski-like grace with the ball and an appreciation of space that well exceeds his teenage years. He loves to drift inside and receive in the half-space, although he is capable of wreaking havoc from the touchline. Soule’s a playmaker at heart; someone who’s always looking to probe the opposition’s defence with searching through balls or determined surges.
He’s a live wire and a talent who’ll be easy to spot on Saturday as a result of his exciting profile.