JUVENTUS

Juventus: De Ligt scores own goal on first start for Serie A giants

Matthijs de Ligt was in the Juventus XI for the first time as the Bianconeri took on Inter in the ICC, but things didn't quite go to plan.

SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE - JULY 21: Matthijs de Ligt of Juventus is seen during the International Champions Cup match between Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur at the Singapore National Stadium on July 21, 2019 in Singapore. (Photo by Pakawich Damrongkiattisak/G
Pakawich Damrongkiattisak
William Allen
British journalist and translator who joined Diario AS in 2013. Focuses on soccer – chiefly the Premier League, LaLiga, the Champions League, the Liga MX and MLS. On occasion, also covers American sports, general news and entertainment. Fascinated by the language of sport – particularly the under-appreciated art of translating cliché-speak.
Update:

Matthijs de Ligt has marked his first start for Juventus with a goal; unfortunately for the centre-back, however, it came at the wrong end.

Having been linked with several major European clubs throughout the summer after starring in Ajax's run to the Champions League semi-finals last season, the 19-year-old finally ended up joining Juve last week in a deal worth 75m euros.

Ajax's continental heroics had seen De Ligt amply demonstrate his goal threat from corners - after all, it was his towering header past Juve goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny that eliminated his employers-to-be from Europe's top club competition.

Gives Inter early lead after turning ball past Szczesny

And early in the first half of Juventus' International Champions Cup clash against fellow Serie A side Inter on Wednesday, the defender inadvertently managed to beat Szczesny from a corner-kick delivery once again.

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Stefano Sensi's 10th-minute ball into the box was flicked on by Roberto Gagliardini, and in his efforts to clear, De Ligt only succeeded in turning the ball past the Pole.

De Ligt goes off at half time

De Ligt was then withdrawn at half time by new Juve head coach Maurizio Sarri, with Merih Demiral coming on in place of the Dutch international.

Juve win on penalties after Ronaldo leveller

In the end, Juventus recovered from the own goal to claim victory in Naijing, prevailing 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out after Cristiano Ronaldo's 68th-minute equaliser for the Vecchia Signora saw the match finish 1-1.   

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