Looking at the team sheets:

Nedved, Iaquinta, Trezeguet, Buffon, Zanetti.

Edgar, Troisi, Pattison, Barnett and Lough.

It’s a no contest, isn’t it? As everyone connected with Newcastle United know very well, football isn’t played on paper. Not the force they once were, but still regarded as European giants, the Old Lady came to town expecting to locals to roll over and fold to their superior skills.

It might only have been a pre season friendly, but the men from Turin were here with a score to settle.

Twice in recent years the had visited NE1, and twice they had gone away soundly beaten. Something unheard of for the Italians. Early flowing, first touch football was an indication that they were here to win, to settle a score with their English counterparts.

A crowd topping the 34,000 mark watched with baited breath. The first five minutes brought ominous signs. The majority of the play was down our left, with Huntington frequently getting beaten, without Juventus breaking sweat.

In the 9th minute, a trademark Milner run ended in debatable contact from Jonathan Zebina. Geordie boy Clattenburg had no hesitation awarding the penalty to United, with Luque dispatching it with no problems at all, sending Buffon the wrong way.

It was 2-0 soon after, with Andy Carroll opening his account for the first team, with similar style to his reserves finishes last season. A superb through ball sent the electric Martins through on goal. A hum dinger of a shot stung the palms of the worlds most expensive stopper. Carroll, on for the injured Luque, kept his composure to stay onside, controlled the ball like a veteran, and cooly smashed is into the bottom corner to send the Leazes into raptures.

Juve hit back almost instantly, with some neat play leaving us needing Given to save well low on the ground. That, and a blazed over effort from Trezeguet, was as close as the Turin troops came to scoring.

Before half time, Buffon tried to put Andy “The Paintbrush” Carroll into the RVI. His after match praise for the striker, althouh possibly an indication of his guilt, was thoroughly deserved.

Half time, 2-0, and an ecstatic crowd vocally showed their appreciation as their heros headed into the Milburn.

Edgar, Troisi and Dyer appeared for the second 45.

A much more relaxed second half followed, as Newcastle looked to preserve their lead and Juventus were frustrated in their efforts to get back into the match.

Lough and Liverpool born trialist Barnett were introduced just after the hour and this seemed to liven up the lads. Dyer and especially Charlie Zog stepped it up a couple of notches. Quality passing and direct running ensured we gave Juventus a torrid spell at the back. Ramage came close with a header, Zog came close to rousing Gallowgate with a sweetly taken free kick and Dyer stormed through the opposition defence only to be deniedby a resolute Buffon. If it had been Michael Owen on the end of these chances it could well have been four or five.

All in all, a very encouraging performance from nearly all concerned, and offers a lot of hope for the coming season. A few more shrewd defensive signings and we should be knocking on the door of Europe. Howay Ashley, open your wallet!

Official MOTM: Shay Given
My MOTM: Charlie Zog