Juventus vs Inter: 5 Talking points as Juve beat Inter on penalties

After a disappointing run out against Tottenham Hotspur in their first pre-season friendly, Juventus got the better of Inter on penalties after the scores were tied 1-1 after normal time.

The two sides came up against each other in an International Champions Cup fixture and canceled each other out after full-time, with Cristiano Ronaldo's deflected free-kick canceling out Matthijs de Ligt's early own goal.

Gianluigi Buffon saved as many as three penalties as Juve prevailed 4-3 on penalties, leaving Antonio Conte's men without a win in their last two games.

Although Inter dominated the opening exchanges and went ahead courtesy of de Ligt's own goal, Juve improved as the game progressed and their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo came big for them once again, scoring a deflected free-kick in the second half.

On that note, let's look at some of the talking points from the game.

#1 Matthijs de Ligt's aberration

de Ligt scored an own goal in the first half

After sealing a big-money move to Turin this summer, Matthijs de Ligt's settling in period has been everything but plain-sailing.

After making his debut against Spurs in a shock 3-2 defeat, the Dutchman started the following encounter against Inter, only to put the ball into his own net from a corner.

De Ligt's move to the Bianconeri was only made official recently and his rustiness showed as he struggled to get a grip of the game against Spurs.

The Dutchman was on the pitch for the second half as Juve conceded two goals and it was clear that the former Ajax man was not up to speed.

De Ligt started against Inter alongside Leonardo Bonucci and scored an unfortunate own-goal, deflecting Stefano Sensi's corner straight into his own net.

Although de Ligt's ability will not be under scrutiny after a disappointing start to his Juve career, albeit in pre-season, Sarri will be hoping his golden-boy turns it around in order to become a key player at the club.

#2 - Cristiano Ronaldo comes to Juve's rescue once again

Ronaldo scored again as Juve prevailed 4-3 on penalties

In a relatively dull affair where Juve largely lacked inspiration upfront, Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up once again in a crucial moment and delivered when it mattered.

The Portuguese superstar lasted 90 minutes and put up yet another lively performance as, despite their lackluster showing, they kept knocking on Inter's door in the second half courtesy of their talisman.

Inter managed to keep him quiet in the first half but the 33-year-old came to life in the final quarter of the game as he leveled the game for the Old Lady.

Juve were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area and there only one person who stood behind the ball.

Although the ball took a wicked deflection before it reached the back of the net, Ronaldo struck the ball with venom and deservedly claimed the goal as Juve eventually went on to win the game on penalties.

#3 - Gonzalo Higuain fails to make his opportunity count

Juventus v Tottenham Hotspur - 2019 International Champions Cup

Gonzalo Higuain's future has been subject to a lot of speculation over the course of the ongoing transfer window.

The Argentinian spent the second half of last season on loan at Chelsea, after terminating his initial temporary deal with AC Milan but failed to make an impact as he returned to his parent club this summer.

The Old Lady have the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Mario Mandzukic and Moise Kean competing for a place to spearhead the attack, due to which Higuain has been deemed surplus to requirements.

After getting his name on the scoresheet against Spurs, the 31-year-old was handed another start as Juve came up against Antonio Conte's Inter.

Higuain was largely isolated and failed to get involved in the game as Juve trailed 1-0 at the break and he was replaced at half-time, in favor of Mario Mandzukic.

In his time at Napoli, he broke the Seria A record for most goals scored in a league season under Maurizio Sarri but it looks increasingly likely that his future lies away from the Bianconeri.

#4 - Federico Bernardeschi continues his hot streak

Bernardeschi was arguably one of the best players on the pitch for Juve

Over the course of the game, Juve lacked a cutting edge and killer instinct but Federico Bernardeschi's performance will come as a massive boost for the Old Lady.

Starting on the right flank alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain, the tricky winger showed glimpses of his outrageous potential with some neat touches and good link-up play.

Bernardeschi lasted the length of the game and although he missed his spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out, he was arguably the best player on the pitch for Juve.

The Italian winger started preseason in scintillating form as he topped off his fantastic showing against Spurs with yet another assured showing against Inter.

Bernardeschi is playing the best football of his career since his days at Fiorentina and under a tactically astute manager like Maurizio Sarri, Juve will be hoping he finally fulfills his world-class potential.

#5 - Gianluigi Buffon's penalty heroics

Buffon was fantastic in the penalty shoot-out

After spending a solitary season in France with Paris Saint-Germain, Gianluigi Buffon returned to his beloved this summer for one final season in the top-flight.

The legendary Italian replaced first-choice goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny for the second-half and although he didn't have much to do in normal time, he made his presence felt in the penalty shoot-out as he proved to be the match-winner at the end of the day.

The 41-year-old rolled back the years and pulled off three stunning saves as Juventus prevailed 4-3 after the shoot-out.

Andrea Rannochia, Borja Valero and Samuele Longo had their respective penalties saved by the veteran goalkeeper as he proved that he's still got something to offer.

Although Szczesny is the undisputed No.1 between the sticks, Buffon is expected to feature in a handful of games as he eyes Paulo Maldini's record of most number of appearances in the history of the Serie A.