The headline of an Italian newspaper screams “CAPOLAVORO BALISTICO DI APPIAH” this morning, in response to the wonderful goal scored last night by the captain of the Black Stars in the TIM Trophy in Ancona which saw league champions Juventus beat AC Milan again ten days after Bianconeri beat Milan in the Italian Super Cup in New York.

The 22 year old scored the only goal of the match for his team in the 30th minute with an excellent volley from 20 yards out which resulted in that screaming headline from the newspaper. The tournament was organized for the entire top teams in the Northern region of Italy and included Inter Milan as well. Even though Juventus won their first match they lost the second to Inter Milan, as Inter won against AC Milan to win the trophy at stake.

Appiah played only in the first match as coach Marcello Lippi changed his team for the second match against Inter. It was his first goal since joining Juventus 3 weeks ago and the second against AC Milan as he scored the only goal for Brescia last season in their 1-0 defeat of Milan.

Speaking to GHANAWEB after the match last night Appiah was hopeful of a first team place when the league kicks off on 31st August. He was happy with the progress he has made since joining Juventus but reiterated that he is still learning from the senior players at Juventus and that he will prove his mettle when given a first team place when the league kicks off.
Coach Marcello Lippi has given all the players of Juventus a 2-day break to enjoy the summer before proper camping starts in Turin at the Sisport Center for the league. The captain of the Black Stars would meet his national team colleague Razak Ibrahim in the first league match as Razak has returned to Empoli after his loan spell in France. Razak has so far commanded regular starting place in the Empoli first team in their pre-season matches and is expected to start when Empoli travel to Turin to face Juventus in the first league match.