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The Maurizio Sarri era at Juventus has officially kicked off, with the Italian giants playing their first match of preseason against Tottenham in the International Champions Cup.
In what was a tightly contested and entertaining fixture in Singapore, Tottenham edged Juventus out in a 3-2 victory.
Preseason fixtures are used as a gauge to test the suitability of players ahead of the start of the season and with Sarri bringing an entirely new style of play to Turin, he would have been keenly watching to see the players most suitable to his system.
In this piece, we shall be highlighting four Juventus players who impressed the most during the fixture.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is the poster boy of not just Juventus or Italian football, but arguably football in general, and his immense popularity was highlighted by the raucous greeting his step-out onto the field received.
However beyond his fame, the 34-year-old is one of the greatest on-field performers in history and Juventus would be banking on him to take them to the next level.
Most players return from their summer holidays a bit out of shape, as the effects of long sprawls at the beach and luxury trips around the world take a toll on their body, but not Ronaldo.
The Portuguese international looked as fit as ever, showing no signs of this being a friendly fixture as he attacked the game with all the ferociousness and determination that has been a hallmark of his game.
Ronaldo had a quiet first half as Juventus struggled to get a foothold on the game and surprisingly missed his side's best chance after 12 minutes as his poor first touch gave Alderweireld the chance to recover in the six-yard box.
15 minutes into the second period, Ronaldo got his requisite goal, as he showed great coordination to time his run into the box to perfection and tap in De Sciglio's cutback into the corner of Gazzanigga's goal.
He was substituted after 63 minutes, but with his display, Juventus fans would be confident that he still retains his peak abilities.
#2 Blaise Matuidi
In what was a torrid first half for most Juventus players, Blaise Matuidi was one of the few shining lights.
The French international has made a name for himself over the years with PSG and the French national team as a tireless workhorse and his energy was on display throughout his time on the field, as he played his ball-carrying role to perfection, serving as an effective link between defense and attack.
He provided a number of chances for his teammates in both halves which were not converted and was a constant nuisance to the Spurs midfield, barely giving them space and time to think on the ball.
He was substituted after 76 minutes for Cypriot international Grigoris Kastano and gave everything on the field of play and Maurizio Sarri would have been very impressed with what he saw.
#3 Gonzalo Higuain
Gonzalo Higuain was made Juventus' record signing in the summer of 2016 after starring for Napoli but he failed to lead them to European glory.
His record over the next two seasons was moderate and Ronaldo's arrival last season forced him to undergo loan spells to Milan and Chelsea where he underwhelmed.
At the moment, the 31-year-old finds himself at a crossroads, as reports have emerged that the club is looking to sign Inter Milan's Mauro Icardi.
Having started from the bench, Higuain took to the field at halftime, replacing Mario Manzukic and showed no signs of his predicaments, as he needed just 11 minuted to make his mark in the game.
After a beautiful one-two interplay with Bernadeschi, the ex-Argentine international showed great composure to slot the ball into the back of the net to level matters for his side.
There were two chances late on for Higuain to grab the winner, but his first shot rolled agonizingly wide by a matter of inches while Gazzaniga was alert to block his goal-bound shot with just a few minutes remaining.
It was under Maurizio Sarri that Higuain had the best campaign of his career; scoring 36 league goals in 2016 to break the longstanding Serie A record and with the 60-year-old back at the helm, the best of Higuain could yet be unlocked at Juventus.
#4 Federico Bernadeschi
Federico Bernadeschi is an energetic and dynamic forward who offers pace and skill going forward and against Tottenham, his strong point was on display, as the Italian international was full of running and constantly hassled the Tottenham backline with his darts forward.
He constantly put youngster Kyle-Walker Peters on the backfoot and whipped in a number of delightful crosses into the box.
11 minutes into the second half, Bernadeschi played a massive role in helping Juventus take the lead, as he showed great technique to play in Higuain after some delightful one-two's for the Argentine to slot the ball home.
He was one of only a handful of players to complete the full 90 minutes and Sarri would have been impressed by Bernadeschi’s displays.
While there might be more illustrious names like Ronaldo and Higuain in the Juventus forward line, Bernadeschi remains an integral part of the Bianconerri’s attacking armory and he highlighted that with a good display against Tottenham.
