Gigi Buffon's Greatness on Show in Juventus Pre-Season Loss to Borussia Dortmund

Just 49 days after the full-time whistle in Berlin signalled the end of the Champions League final—and with it the 2014/15 season—Juventus returned to action against Borussia Dortmund as part of their preparations for the new campaign, with a 2-0 defeat the outcome for the Italian side.

The Bianconeri took on a German outfit coming to terms with the loss of Jurgen Klopp, who had led them for seven years but drew an end to his tenure after their struggles last term. Yet if the absence of the popular coach was jarring, no less so was the vastly different lineup fielded by Massimiliano Allegri.

As discussed in this previous column, it has been a tumultuous summer in Turin, with a number of key figures deciding to move on perhaps in the belief that last season cannot be bettered. Due to those exits—and a number of other factors—the Juve boss made no fewer than four changes to the XI that lost to Barcelona last month.

Martin Caceres returned from injury to take his place in defence, while new signings Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic formed an intriguing attacking trident alongside Alvaro Morata. Also making his first start was Colombian under-20 international Andres Tello, the 18-year-old who only arrived at the club back in January.

As expected, the game began slowly, the two teams clearly struggling for fitness given both sets of players only returned to training a few days earlier. Juventus supporters tuning in would have perhaps had concerns over the lack of creativity—a point discussed in depth here—after the exits of Andrea Pirlo and Carlos Tevez.

Those fears would be quickly allayed, however, with the Old Lady's best chance of the first half coming via a free-kick on the left-hand side of the field. Dybala stepped up to take the set piece, curling a delightful ball into the box, and Mandzukic almost managed to net his maiden goal for the club with an excellent header.

While it was the two new boys linking neatly at one end of the field who caught the eye, it was a familiar face at the other end who kept the scoreline respectable. He was unable to prevent Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang slotting the opening goal of the game after some smart play from Henrikh Mkhitaryan, but Gigi Buffon was superb in the first 45 minutes.

The game was just three minutes old when the goalkeeper was called upon for the first time, making a good stop on a powerful Mkhitaryan effort. He would make a second to deny Kevin Kampl before an Aubameyang header from point-blank range drew Buffon's very best.

"

Gigi's save https://t.co/s8JV2tZrdh

— Khaled Al Nouss (@KhaledAlNouss) July 25, 2015"

The 37-year-old made a stunning stop to repel the fine attempt from the Gabon international, showing that while so much around him has changed, the Juventus captain remains one of the best in the business. Buffon would make another stop from Kampl after Paul Pogba lost the ball, but he would make way at half-time for Brazilian stopper Norberto Neto, who also joined the club this summer.

Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images

A raft of substitutions—including debuts for Juventus youth team players Luca Clemenza and Alberto Cerri—interrupted the flow of the game even more after the break.

Marco Reus would eventually double the advantage for Borussia Dortmund after a wonderful solo run, with only a smart double save from Neto denying Thomas Tuchel's men from going further in front.

Aside from knowing Buffon remains incredible between the posts, this new-look Juventus will take very little from Saturday's defeat, with Allegri—via the club's official Twitter account—saying "in spite of the result it was a good work out for us tonight."

Having lost last season's first friendly before going on to such huge success, there will be little panic in Turin over this result, particularly from their experienced coach and captain.