Juventus kick off their pre-season preparations with a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Borussia Dortmund. A first half goal from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyeng and Marco Reus’ outstanding solo effort were enough to give BVB the win, as they prepare for their DFB Pokal first round trip to Chemnitzer FC.

Borussia Dortmund almost capitalised upon La Vecchia Signora’s embryotic state of per-season preparations inside the first ten minutes, as Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang forced Buffon into action. With just three minutes on the clock, Mkhitaryan was denied the opening goal of the game by the outstretched arm of Gianluigi Buffon. After some neat build up on the right flank from Marco Reus, the ball was flicked into the path of Mkhitaryan on the left of the penalty area. The Armenian international’s subsequent effort on goal was brilliantly flicked past the right post by Buffon.

Moments later the Juventus captain was forced into another world class save. A low cross into the heart of the penalty from Mkhitaryan was latched onto by Aubameyang. The rapid forward’s first time strike however proved to be straight at the Juve number one, who was able to comfortably beat the ball clear of danger. 

In the 25th minute Aubameyang, once again, brought the best out of Buffon in the Juventus goal. The Gabon national’s header from the edge of the six yard box looked destined to nestle in the back of the net; but the out-stretched Buffon was on-hand to flick the ball over the crossbar.

Despite being largely outplayed in the first half, Mario Mandzukic had a glorious chance to open his goal-scoring account for his new employers. The Croatian international rose highest in the centre of the penalty area from a Dybala free kick; however despite being unchallenged, he was unable to keep his headed effort underneath the crossbar.

Aubameyang gives BVB a deserved lead

BVB deservedly took the lead on the 40th minute mark through Aubameyang. A sweeping counter attack led by Gundogan culminated in the ball being played out to Mkhitaryan on the left flank. After controlling the ball, the trequartista cleverly dragged the ball back to the edge of the penalty area, where Aubameyang was on-hand to sweep the ball confidently into the bottom right corner. 

Juventus largely struggled to push forward with any real potency during the first half. Due to Allegri’s attempts to fit Paulo Dybala, Alvaro Morata and Mario Mandzukic into the starting XI, the 4-3-2-1 formation was utilised. However, due to Morata and Dybala’s wide starting positions, the Bianconeri’s starlets were unable to effectively threaten the BVB back four. 

The half-time interval brought with it numerous substitutions for both teams. Sven Bender, Hofmann,  Kagawa, Weidenfeller and new signing Gonzalo Castro entered the fold for BVB; while Neto, Sturaro, Rugani, Padoin, Chiellini and Lichsteiner were brought on for the second half by Allegri.

Substitute Giorgio Chiellini came close to levelling the score moments after his introduction. The Italian international headed narrowly wide of the post, after he had risen well at the near post from a Marchisio corner kick.

In the 53rd minute BVB’s second half substitute Jonas Hofmann, almost doubled his side’s lead. After being played through one-on-one by Reus on the right side of the penalty, the former Mainz loanee saw his subsequent low effort on goal palmed clear of danger by Juve new-boy Neto. 

Marco Reus doubles Dortmund's lead


Borussia Dortmund finally doubled their lead on the hour mark through the exceptional Marco Reus. The German international latched onto the ball inside BVB’s defensive third, before bursting through the heart of the midfield. After finding his way into the Juve penalty area, the wide player weaved his way past Bonucci before sliding the ball past Neto and into the bottom left hand corner of the net. 

After doubling their lead Dortmund began to once again dictate proceedings; however due to the vast amount of substitutions made in the second half, the friendly’s entertainment value noticeably diminished. However, in spite of the overall tempo dropping dramatically, in stoppage time two long range efforts from Kirch and Leitner forced Neto into action. 

Juventus will continue their pre-season preparations on 1st August, when they face Marseille at the Stade Velodrome; while Borussia Dortmund will begin their competitive campaign next week in the DFB Pokal first round.