Juventus Held to Goalless Draw in First Summer Friendly Against Basel

FolioPitch.com – 20 July 2026 | The Highlights Basel 0-0 Juventus First summer friendly for the Bianconeri showcased a promising yet unfinished performance from Luciano Spalletti’s side. In their opening pre-season fixture of the 2026-27 campaign, Juventus faced a familiar face in Swiss side Basel, coached by former Bianconeri defender Stephan Lichtsteiner. The match ended in a 0-0 draw, but not without drama, as Juventus goalkeeper Mattia Perin saved a second-half penalty to keep the clean sheet.

The Highlights Basel 0-0 Juventus First summer friendly for the Bianconeri saw Spalletti field a mix of regulars and returning loanees. Douglas Luiz, back after spells at Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa, started in midfield alongside Manuel Locatelli. The Brazilian earned a penalty in the second half, but Basel’s goalkeeper miscalculated his effort, and Perin was on hand to deny the spot-kick. Spalletti praised his team’s ability to create chances despite the lack of a goal. “It could have been difficult to create chances, but we managed to do so, and did well, too,” he said via Juventus’ official website. “There was a bit of a lack of precision in key moments and two or three occasions where we could have scored, but the opposition goalkeeper was in fine form. I’m pleased with the commitment I’ve seen this week.”

Jeremie Boga, who started on the left wing, echoed his coach’s sentiments. “The team put in a good performance. I feel good personally, and it’s great to get back out there and play again,” he said. “I think we played a good game, of course we’re not at our best physically yet, but with the ball, we showed some good stuff, and that’s exactly what we want to do this year. We’ll approach each game with the goal of improving our condition.”

The Highlights Basel 0-0 Juventus First summer friendly for the Bianconeri also included several lineup changes. Goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio started the first half before making way for Perin. Defenders Pierre Kalulu, Federico Gatti, and Lloyd Kelly all played 45 minutes, while Andrea Cambiaso and Juan Cabal featured as full-backs. In attack, Francisco Camargo Zhegrova and Vasilije Adzic showed flashes of creativity, while the forward line missed the injured Samuel Ekhator, who was replaced early by Jerome Openda.

Basel, under Lichtsteiner, fielded a competitive side, with former Premier League star Xherdan Shaqiri playing the first 46 minutes. The Swiss side’s discipline frustrated Juventus, and their goalkeeper made several key saves. The match’s only notable disciplinary incident was a red card for Basel’s Salvi, who was sent off in the second half.

Spalletti will now look to build on this performance in upcoming friendlies. The Highlights Basel 0-0 Juventus First summer friendly for the Bianconeri serve as a foundation for the team’s pre-season objectives. With key players still integrating and injuries affecting early preparations, Juventus will aim to sharpen their precision in front of goal and continue their development under the new manager. The goalless draw may not have provided the victory fans hoped for, but it offered valuable insights into the squad’s evolving dynamics.