International Champions Cup – Juventus vs Bayern Munich (Match Preview)

KICK OFF: 00:00
VENUE: Lincoln Financial Field

Juventus

Juventus kick start their champions cup pre-season campaign on Wednesday night as they play Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich. During the summer their biggest story yet would be the inclusion of super star Cristiano Ronaldo to the old lady’s rank. This match should stir things back to reality as they prepare for the kickoff of a new season.

The team feature on this tour of America is without the star man and this, surely would be bad for marketing. A host of other key players in the persons of Sami Khedira, Blaise Matuidi, Douglas Costa, Juan Cuadrado, and Mario Mandzukic would also not be present as they remain rested after their participation at the just concluded world cup.

The Italy national team did not make it to the world cup, which sees most of its internationals resting. Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli, Miralem Pjanic are amongst a list of players who could possibly start alongside new signing Emre can.

Bayern Munich

The German outfit are going to have to play with star players like first choice goalie Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng, Joshua kimmich, Jamez Rodriguez and Robert Lewandowski who are all still on holiday irrespective of when their national teams got terminated from the world cup. They still have a couple of big names like Arjen Robben, Frank ribery and Kingsley Coman who are all available to start. In all the Germans don’t look too bad.

On Saturday, they did take on PSG in the first of the three champion’s cup fixtures. It was a good night for them as they were 3-1 victorious in a match that kick starts their pre-season campaign.
Bayern do have a clear advantage here because they have played some practice games during the break and three of their first team attackers are available on demand.

On the other hand Juventus are fielding a team without its entire first team attackers. Statistics from previous games show that the Old Lady has been victorious in just two of eight International Champions cup matches since their debut in 2013.

HEAD TO HEAD

All previous meetings between both sides have been in the UEFA champion’s league. They have met ten times already with Bayern having a larger percentage of the wins. The Italian champions haven’t been able to get past the Germans in the last six games. With two draws and four wins in favor of Bayern.

KEY STATS

• In their previous eight matches at the champion’s cup, Juventus have won just two matches.
• Juventus last defeated Bayern Munich as far back as 2005, 13 years ago. Obviously things haven’t changed much.
• Bayern Munichs trio consisting of Arjen Robben, Kingsley Coman and Frank Ribery had a total of 62 appearances at the Bundesliga while Juventus would be fielding a team without its entire first team attackers.
• Newly acquired signing Cristiano Ronaldo would not be taking part in this game as he will not be present at the ICC. The former Madrid number 7 is still on holiday after his exploits at the world cup with Portugal.

PICK

Bayern Draw no Bet