Juventus have yet to make their debut in the Soccer Champions Tour after Barcelona cancelled their friendly last week, so here’s what to expect from the Bianconeri in the USA, against Milan and Real Madrid.
Juventus had to change their plans upon their arrival in the USA as their friendly against Barcelona was cancelled by the Catalans following viral gastroenteritis among a significant part of their squad.
The Old Lady trained in San Francisco on Saturday, moving to Los Angeles ahead of schedule. They will meet Milan on July 28 at 4:30 CEST at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Los Angeles County and Real Madrid on August 3 at 1:30 CEST at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
Paul Pogba has been called up, but Massimiliano Allegri has said that the Frenchman won’t be involved in games played in the USA adding that it’ll take up to a month to see the midfielder return to group training. Nicolò Fagioli and Adrien Rabiot are also not available and have remained in Turin. This means Allegri will have to make adjustments in midfield. Nicolò Rovella has returned from a one-year loan at Monza, and Weston McKennie has joined the team in the USA, but Juventus are ready to listen to offers for the American midfielder.
His compatriot Timothy Weah will be the only new purchase playing in the USA for the Bianconeri and is expected to feature wide on the right wing in a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 formation. Dusan Vlahovic will get playing time, but he’s not fully fit while Federico Chiesa can surely give his best as an attacking winger in a 3-4-3 system rather than in a 3-5-2 or as a centre forward. Cristiano Giuntoli said last week that Juventus might sell both Vlahovic and Chiesa if they receive ‘irrefutable’ offers given that the Bianconeri must balance the books in the summer. Therefore, their stars’ mood may not be the best in the USA.
The likes of Leonardo Bonucci and Denis Zakaria are on the market and have remained in Turin. Allegri has called many young players instead. Giovanni Daffara, 18, is one of the four goalkeepers in the USA. Koni De Winter and Andrea Cambiaso are back after loans at Empoli and Bologna respectively. Dean Huijsen, 18, has been promoted from the NextGen squad and the same is true of midfielder Joseph Nonge and striker Kenan Yildiz, both 18.
The latter is one of the most interesting products of Juventus’ academy. He scored 15 goals in 37 games with the Primavera squad, including three in six Youth League appearances. He moved to Turin from Bayern Munich just one year ago and has been linked with a move to Fenerbahce to replace new Real Madrid signing Arda Guler. However, Juventus want to keep him at the Allianz Stadium and Allegri may give him a chance to shine against Milan and the Merengues.