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Juventus down Tottenham at MCG

26th July, 2016
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An early Juventus blitz has given the Italian champions a winning end to their tour of Australia, defeating Tottenham 2-1 at the MCG.

Golden boy Paulo Dybala was in the thick of Tuesday night’s action, scoring the opener and looking a class above in an extended run for the Argentine international.

Despite substitute Erik Lamela’s 67th-minute strike, Medhi Benatia’s header after a quarter-hour proved to be the the winner.

Tottenham unveiled new signings Vincent Janssen, who made little impact in his hour-long debut, and the busy Victor Wanyama in midfield.

But a makeshift defence was Spurs undoing, with both Juventus goals coming from calamities at the back.

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino fielded an inexperienced back four, with only right-back Kieran Trippier boasting English Premier League minutes.

They were ruthlessly exposed inside the opening 14 minutes, with England youth international centre-back Dominic Ball melting down.

Roberto Pereyra caught the 20-year-old in possession, playing in countryman Dybala who emphatically finished a one-on-one chance against Michel Vorm after five minutes.

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Dybala was in the mood, troubling Vorm with a swerving shot shortly after.

When the resulting corner wasn’t cleared, Ball hesitated before clearing straight to new signing Miralem Pjanic.

The Bosnian international’s chip-cross found fellow new boy Benatia, meeting the ball with a looping header that gave Vorm no chance.

In contrast to the Spurs’ shambles, Benatia composed the Juventus defence magnificently in his first outing for his new club.

After the break, it was Juventus’ turn to stumble.

Wanyama won the ball from a dithering Hernandes, setting up Lamela who fired past Neto for the consolation.

A combined total of 17 second-half substitutes opened the match up but the EPL side could not find a second, despite late chances falling to Lamela and Shayon Harrison.

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Juventus will head to Hong Kong for another friendly, while Tottenham will end their International Champions Cup campaign on Friday against Spanish side Atletico Madrid.

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