Last Saturday was a beautiful day and our U18 and U16 teams played matches. After the U16 match, Juventus Academy Shanghai also had a fun Players versus Parents match to celebrate the last official game of the 2020-21 Fall Season. Here are the results:
Senior Team League: 3-2Win
U16 League: 1-1 Draw
Players v Parents: ?-? on penalties
MATCH SUMMARIES
SENIOR TEAM
The U18 team once again played against their senior opponents, with a few additions to the team. The starting XI consisted of Gui, Nolann, Amit, Alii, Julien, Meison, Amar, Mert, Eli, Fynn, and Ross. The Bianconeri suffered some mistakes in the first 10 minutes of the match, but were soon able to recover their pace. However, the opponents were the first to score and Juve found themselves 1-0 down. The coach made some changes later in the first half, subbing Babacar and Ali in. The team began to have better control of the match and an assist from Fynn to Eli saw Juve level before the end of the first 45 minutes. In the second half, the Bianconeri start off immediately with goo energy and spirits and dominate the game. A long-ball assist from Ali finds Babacar, and Juve are now ahead. One more goal from Tendai seals the deal for the Bianconeri, even though the opponents are able to score another as well before the end of the match. The match ends in a 3-2 win for Juve! The team performed well, keeping possession and playing good through balls. Good job team, Forza Juve!
U16
The U16 team ended their season with a great 1-1 fight against their opponents. It was an intense match, with both sides having adequate chances to score. Though Juve had an upper hand in the quality of chances they were getting, it was the opponent who would take the lead. The referee calls a hand-ball inside the box and gives the other team a penalty, who are able to take advantage and find the back of the net. However, just one minute after the ball is replayed from the center of the pitch, the Bianconeri level instantly and dampen the opponent's joy of scoring first. Alvaro's assist finds Matthew, and the latter clinically scores. The first half ends 1-1. The second half remains just as tough, but the draw persists. As the game comes to a close, the opponent team is once again awarded a penalty. This questionable call from the referee threatened the draw that should've been a win for Juve, as they were the better team on the pitch. However, Juve's goalkeeper Federico comes to the rescue and makes an amazing save. The penalty-taker goes for an on-the-ground shot toward the left side of the goal. Federico dives in the correct direction and his extended arm keeps the ball out. Thanks to the team's collective effort and Federico's super-save, the match remains a draw and the game ends 1-1.
PARENTS VS PLAYERS
After the U16 match, everyone was in high spirits from the impressive display the team put on. The weather was sunny and warm, and the players and parents played a friendly match for the ultimate showdown. One team consisted of U14 players, while the parents and players of all other ages made up the other side. No one is sure exactly how many, but goals were scored from both ends and the teams decide to take it to penalties. Every player took a chance at goal and all had a great time as an academy.
