Juventus twice fought back against Alessandro Del Piero’s A-League All-Stars to win 3-2 in a Sydney spectacular.
The Bianconeri continue their pre-season tour of Asia by playing this exhibition match in Sydney, greeted by 65,000 fans.
Juventus twice fought back against Alessandro Del Piero’s A-League All-Stars to win 3-2 in a Sydney spectacular.
The Bianconeri continue their pre-season tour of Asia by playing this exhibition match in Sydney, greeted by 65,000 fans.
It was the first time Del Piero has faced his former teammates and also his last game in Sydney. Arturo Vidal was on the touchline, as he still hasn’t fully recovered from a knee problem.
Alex tried one of his trademark free kicks and curled another effort just over the bar, but it was Adelaide midfielder Marcelo Carrusca who surprising gave the All-Stars the lead. He dribbled past a static Angelo Ogbonna to fire in an angled drive.
It should’ve been 2-0, but Gigi Buffon was alert to deny Besart Berisha’s strike.
Tevez had a great opportunity to equalise just before half-time, but after a give-and-go with Fernando Llorente his right-foot finish thumped the upright.
Stephan Lichtsteiner deflected Thomas Broich’s attempt out for a corner and Claudio Marchisio’s header was practically cleared off the line by Eugene Galekovic after splendid work by Tevez.
The pressure was building and the Bianconeri got their equaliser, as Patrice Evra whipped a cross into the centre for a classic Llorente header.
Del Piero, who leaves Sydney FC this summer, left the field to a standing ovation from the entire stadium after 64 minutes.
The All-Stars continued to impress and went back in front, as Juric took advantage of a defensive error to blast home.
Just as the Australians were preparing to celebrate a shock victory, Paul Pogba popped up with a fantastic stop and right-foot screamer into the corner.
Juve’s quality won out eventually, as Sebastian Giovinco’s cross was deflected, turning into an assist for Simone Pepe. The Bianconeri conquered the ANZ Stadium deep into stoppages.
A-League 2-3 Juventus
Scorers: Carrusca 9 (A), Llorente 59 (J), Juric 76 (A), Pogba 88 (J), Pepe 93 (J)
A-League All-Stars: Galekovic; Smith, Rose, Muscat, Berisha; Ibini (Hersi 66), Carrusca (Montgomery 66), Riera; North (Thwaite 66), Broich, Del Piero (Williams 64)
Juventus: Buffon (Storari 70); Caceres, Bonucci, Ogbonna; Lichtsteiner (Coman 80), Pogba, Pirlo, Marchisio, Evra (Asamoah 70); Tevez (Pepe 80), Llorente (Giovinco 86)