Juventus Kick Off Pre-Season in Style with 2-0 Win over OGC Nice

Juventus produced a solid and encouraging display in their latest International Club Friendly on 1 August 2026, beating OGC Nice 2-0 in front of a travelling crowd that had made the trip to enjoy an early glimpse of the new season. With goals in each half, the Bianconeri showed promising signs of cohesion and sharpness during the early phase of their summer preparation.

Match Report

From the outset, Juventus imposed themselves on the game with patient build-up play and a high press that repeatedly unsettled Nice’s defensive line. The French side, known for their quick transitions, were forced to sit deeper than they would have liked, and it was no surprise when the home side opened the scoring midway through the first half.

Dusan Vlahovic made the breakthrough after a period of sustained pressure. The Serbian striker linked up with his supporting forwards, spun off his marker and fired a low shot inside the near post from the edge of the area. It was a striker’s finish of real quality, one that further underlined his importance to Juventus’ attacking plan under the club's current coaching staff.

Nice had their moments before the interval, but the Juventus backline stayed compact and alert. In the second half, the match opened up, with both benches making multiple substitutions. Juve continued to look the more dangerous side, and it was no more than they deserved when Kenan Yildiz made it 2-0 in the 71st minute with a trademark curling effort from the left side of the penalty area.

Key Moments

• 34’ – Goal (1-0): Dusan Vlahovic turns his defender and drills a low shot into the near corner.
• 58’ – Chance: Nice’s Evann Guessand heads over from close range, missing their best opportunity.
• 71’ – Goal (2-0): Kenan Yildiz cuts inside and bends a beautiful effort beyond the goalkeeper.
• 89’ – Late save: Juventus’ backup goalkeeper denies a last-minute strike to preserve the clean sheet.

Tactical Story

Juventus lined up in their preferred 4-2-3-1 setup and showed clear intent to dominate possession. The double pivot provided a strong platform, allowing the attacking midfielders to drift into the gaps between Nice’s lines. Their willingness to press high after losing the ball was also a standout feature, with Nice rarely able to launch a sustained counter-attack.

Nice, managed by a new-look technical staff, are clearly still adjusting to their own transition game. They showed flashes of creativity but too often struggled to link midfield and attack. As is typical in pre-season friendlies, the result holds less significance than the fitness and tactical insights, yet Juventus will leave this fixture with plenty of positives.

Takeaways for the Season Ahead

Juventus are building nicely towards their competitive opener. Vlahovic and Yildiz both demonstrated that they can be central to the team’s scoring output, and the defensive unit appears well-drilled. With rotation already visible in the second half, the coaching staff appear to be using these matches to test different partnerships and build a squad that can compete on multiple fronts.

For OGC Nice, the friendly served as a useful checkpoint. They will need sharpening in the final third and more patience in build-up play before their domestic season begins. The Bianconeri, meanwhile, can be satisfied with a professional performance, a clean sheet, and another step forward in their pre-season progression.