All eyes will be on Foxtel A-League All Stars skipper Alessandro Del Piero when he goes up against the club he made his name at over almost two decades.
The All Stars face a huge task on Sunday night, facing a Juventus outfit that will not only be high on confidence but with all their superstars on board.
Josep Gombau’s side have had a strong preparation with around 10 days to prepare and one training game hitout against the Young Socceroos, but will need to be at their best to topple the in-form Italian champions in front of more than 60,000 fans at ANZ Stadium.
Juventus were last in Australia six years ago when they played against Melbourne Victory but this is a very different team now.
They have won the last three Serie A titles – amassing more than 100 points last season – and have brought with them a squad choc-full of world-class talent.
But the club has endured some form of change in the off-season, with title-winning coach Antonio Conte deciding to quit the club suddenly.
Massimiliano Allegri took the reins and after a slow start, things picked up considerably in the first stop of their Asian Tour in Indonesia.
The Bianconeri crushed an Indonesian Select XI 8-1 in Jakarta, with Spanish international striker Fernando Llorente bagging a first-half hat-trick.
Playing the side’s favoured 3-5-2 formation, it was easily their most fluent performance of the pre-season and things are only going to get better as the players edge closer to peak fitness.
Given the Serie A season is only a few weeks away, Allegri is expected to select a strong line-up, with the likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Patrice Evra, Carlos Tevez, Giorgio Chiellini and Paul Pogba all expected to start.
New signings like Kingsley Coman and Roberto Pereyra impressed Allegri in Jakarta and are also likely to get plenty of game time, although Arturo Vidal’s availability is less clear.
The Chilean midfielder continues to be linked to a move to Manchester United and has been battling an injury, meaning he may struggle to get on the field.
That will be of little concern to the Foxtel A-League All Stars, who are desperate to put on a strong showing against Juve.
After losing 5-1 to Manchester United in the inaugural event last year, the All Stars squad have been very vocal in the build-up talking about their determination to get a result.
And they have given themselves the best possible chance with their strong preparation.
Gombau’s troops also have the added motivation of playing with Juventus legend Del Piero, who will play his final match on Australian soil against his former club.
With defenders Matthew Spiranovic and Sasa Ognenovski forced to pull out of the squad, championship-winning Brisbane combination Matt Smith and Jade North are set to marshal the defence in a 4-3-3.
Central Coast Mariners pair Josh Rose and Storm Roux could fill the fullback roles in a midfield that will include Albert Riera, Thomas Broich, Marcelo Carrusca and Gui Finkler.
Melbourne Victory striker Besart Berisha, who scored the only All Stars goal last year, will play a pivotal role leading the attack.
The FOXTEL A-League All Stars play Juventus at ANZ Stadium, Sydney on Sundy evening with the match to be broadcast live and exclusive on the Seven Network’s 7Mate channel nationally.
