​As he prepares for his second clash against a Foxtel A-League All Stars side, new Juventus signing Patrice Evra says Australian football is improving evidenced by the Socceroos’ performance at Brazil 2014.
“Australia had a great World Cup and they deserved to win against Holland I believe,” the French international told the media on Friday at the Sydney Opera House.
“I’d always thought Australia was a rugby country, but football is really developing here and Juve are extremely popular.”
Evra is here for a second year running.
Last year, in the red of United against the Foxtel A-League All Stars, and now in the black and white of Juventus against the same opponent.
He admitted it was hard to leave United but is relishing a new challenge with the Italian champions.
“We have to win the league again,” he declared.
“Four times in a row is not easy, we couldn’t do it at Manchester United, plus we have to do well in the Champions League.
“We are doing everything to get ready … we want to do our best to win everything. That is our target.”
Fresh from a huge 8-1 win over an Indonesian Select XI on Wednesday night, Evra warned his team-mates to expect a difficult match when the Italian champions take on the Foxtel A-League All Stars on Sunday night.
And despite the Red Devils coming away from last year's match against the Ange Postecoglou-coached All Stars with a 5-1 victory, the French international expects a torrid battle against Josep Gombau’s side at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.
“I remember last year it was not an easy game. It will definitely be a tougher game than the one we played in Jakarta,” Evra said.
After starting off the bench in Jakarta on Wednesday night, the experienced left-back is expected to start against the All Stars on Sunday at ANZ Stadium.
It means the likes of Youssouf Hersi, Bernie Ibini and Storm Roux can expect a busy night down the right wing for the home side.
“The Australian players are getting better. Last year when I came with Manchester United we won the game (5-1) but it was not an easy game.
“We scored really early and it was a difficult opponent. That’s why I will make sure I will tell my team it will be a different opposition than we had in Jakarta."
Having come to Australia now for a second time, Evra didn’t rule out returning in the future, perhaps for a stint in the Hyundai A-League.
“You never know. My friend William Galllas finished his career in Australia so you never know,” he said when asked.
The FOXTEL A-League All Stars play Juventus at ANZ Stadium, Sydney on Sunday evening with the match to be broadcast live and exclusive on the Seven Network's 7Mate channel nationally.
