Juventus vs Atletico Madrid

Gamla Ullevi is the venue as Juventus and Atletico Madrid lock horns in a mouth-watering pre-season clash.

After four straight years with a Serie A title, Juventus parted with Max Allegri at the end of last season. Allegri’s successor, Thiago Motta, has overhauled the Bianconeri squad this summer, landing Douglas Luiz, Khephren Thuram, and Michele Di Gregorio. Motta’s reconstruction is still underway, with Juventus vying for Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Gonzalez. The Turin giants need reinforcements to close the gap on reigning Scudetto holders Inter Milan, as evidenced by their underwhelming pre-season results. After a 3-0 loss to second-tier Nurnberg on Motta’s touchline debut, Juventus could only draw 2-2 against Brest, meaning they’ve conceded 2+ goals in three of their last four outings. If it’s any consolation, they netted at least twice on three occasions in the same sequence.

In the meantime, Diego Simeone guided Atletico Madrid to a 12th consecutive top-four finish in La Liga last season, but Los Rojiblancos failed to challenge Real Madrid’s title credentials. The Argentine manager has recognized it’s time for a change. Alvaro Morata, Memphis Depay, Mario Hermoso, and Saul Niguez left the club, with Robin Le Normand and Alexander Sorloth reinforcing Simone’s squad. The latter was on the scoresheet twice on his debut as Atletico Madrid thrashed Kitchee 6-1 in their last summer friendly, building on a 3-1 triumph against Getafe. Yet to lose a pre-season match (W2, D1), the Spaniards will look to replicate a thumping 4-0 win against Juventus – achieved in their last friendly meeting in August 2022.