SUNDERLAND warmed up for their Barclays Premier League opener against Tottenham next week with an entertaining draw with Italian giants Juventus.

Pre-season results have not been good for manager Claudio Ranieri recently.

However, goalkeeper Gigi Buffon has moved to calm Juventus supporters concerned over their poor preseason form. Consecutive defeats to Newcastle United and Hamburg have heaped pressure on Claudio Ranieri's team, but goalkeeper Buffon insists: "The defeats at this time act as motivation. Noone has yet seen the true Juve. We've lost to opponents well ahead of us in their preseason programme."

"The defence played better against Hamburg. I'm positive about things. This is a new era, we have no need to fear anyone. With our skill and ability we can match any team."

Daryl Murphy gave Roy Keane's side the lead when he stabbed home after Ross Wallace's seventh-minute corner was headed into the danger area by new signing Dickson Etuhu.

Cristian Molinaro grabbed a deserved equaliser for the Italian side with two minutes left, the substitute smashing a powerful drive into the roof of the net.

In a game marking the 10th anniversary of the Stadium of Light, Sunderland could have won it in the dying minutes but Ireland international and former Arsenal player Anthony Stokes shot hit the post.