29 July 2017
Massimiliano Allegri and Juventus have just one day left of the Summer Tour 2017 presented by Jeep, but it’s an important one. The Bianconeri will face Italian rivals Roma at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts in the third and final International Champions Cup match.
“Tomorrow’s encounter against Roma is a friendly, but still a very important test for us in preparation for the Super Cup and full season ahead,” opened Allegri.
“Roma are as strong as they were last season when they obviously had more points than any other year in their history. They promise to be another potent force this time around. They've made some changes to their squad, but I feel like they are just as strong if not stronger than last year and will be competing for certain for the Scudetto.”
Sunday’s match could see the debut of Juventus' newest signing, Federico Bernardeschi, who joined up with the team on Thursday in Boston after his move from Fiorentina.
“Bernardeschi is joining a team already full of promising youth like [Daniele] Rugani, [Mattia] De Sciglio and [Marko] Pjaca and so it’s important to add a player of his character to our squad,” said Allegri. “Obviously, his personality and temperament is exuberant and one of tremendous poise, so he certainly will help us in bringing character, grit and quality to this group.”
With the Super Cup against Lazio two weeks away in Rome and the Serie A season starting in just three weeks against Cagliari at the Allianz Stadium, Allegri knows how important every warm-up match is, given the way the Bianconeri's title rivals have strengthened during the summer.
“Right from the beginning it will be important to gain points to compete against the other top sides,” said Allegri. “One of the intriguing things is it’s not like last year [with two main competitors]. You’re playing against five or more teams that are vying to win the Scudetto, so it’ll be a very competitive season.”
