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Maybe the FIFA Membership World Cup may very well be an opportunity for out-of-sorts Juventus to place one other lackluster season behind them. The newly formatted summer time event is simply across the nook, with the Bianconeri one of many two Serie A representatives in the USA.
It was presupposed to be a season of resurgence for Juventus after substantial squad investments final summer time and Thiago Motta’s appointment. Nonetheless, the record-time Italian champions needed to accept one other mediocre marketing campaign. Motta didn’t even final lengthy sufficient to take credit score for one more top-four end in Serie A.
Igor Tudor took his place within the dugout in late March and completed what he began, serving to Juventus safe Champions League qualification. But, one other trophyless season left a bitter style in followers’ mouths, heightening the stress on the Bianconeri to ship in North America. It’s additionally an opportunity for Tudor to consolidate his managerial standing in Turin.
Development from a competitive-looking Group G is something however a foregone conclusion for Juventus. Certainly, they share the stage with Manchester Metropolis, Al-Ain, and Wydad and can kick issues off on June 19 in opposition to the AFC powerhouse.
With out additional ado, let’s take a look at all 4 members.
Juventus
League: Serie AHead coach: Igor Tudor
Like Group E favorites and arch-rivals Inter, Juventus have some extent to show in the USA. In any case, that is the one worldwide title they’ve by no means received. However there’s extra than simply status and one other piece of silverware. Certainly, this may very well be an opportunity for the Turin giants to embark on a brand new successful cycle after years of struggling.
As aforementioned, Tudor could be well-advised to not take this event calmly. A deep run would assist strengthen his place within the dugout amid rising considerations over Juventus’ managerial alternative. But, the Croatian tactician isn’t the one one below stress.
A number of gamers inside the squad are additionally dealing with a make-or-break second, together with exit-linked Dusan Vlahovic. The identical goes for Randal Kolo Muani and Francisco Conceicao, as they each purpose to earn everlasting contracts on the Allianz Stadium.
Star Participant: Kenan Yildiz
Although Vlahovic was Juventus’ finest goalscorer within the season simply gone, Kenan Yildiz was typically the workforce’s driving pressure in assault. Sadly, the numbers weren’t there. The 20-year-old racked up simply 9 targets in 48 appearances. Subsequently, this may very well be his time to shine.
Potential Beginning Line-Up (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Bremer, Kalulu, Savona; Cambiaso, Thuram, Locatelli, Nico Gonzalez; Conceicao, Yildiz; Kolo Muani.
Manchester Metropolis
League: Premier LeagueHead coach: Pep Guardiola
Whereas trophyless seasons have grow to be Juventus’ harsh actuality lately, Manchester Metropolis skilled a uncommon style of the identical final time period. After 4 consecutive Premier League triumphs, they didn’t carry silverware for the primary time since Pep Guardiola’s debut marketing campaign on the Etihad Stadium.
An underwhelming league marketing campaign, a untimely Champions League elimination, and an FA Cup heartbreak prompted the membership’s decisive response within the switch market. Certainly, the Residents have splashed out €137 million on summer time reinforcements. Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, and Tijjani Reijnders have signed for the previous English champions.
Milan paid the final word worth for an embarrassing Serie A marketing campaign as their standout midfielder moved to the British Isles to interchange Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian playmaker isn’t the one long-serving stalwart set to depart Man Metropolis this summer time, as evidenced by Guardiola’s determination to depart Jack Grealish out of his Membership World Cup squad.
Star Participant: Erling Haaland
Regardless of all incoming offers previously six months, Erling Haaland stays essentially the most significant factor in Guardiola’s jigsaw. The Norwegian aim machine had a quiet season by his excessive requirements, ending behind Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak within the Premier League scoring charts. That would solely function an added motive for him to blow up within the US.
Potential beginning line-up (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Ait-Nouri, Gvardiol, Dias, Akanji; Kovacic, reijnders; Cherki, marmous, doku; HAALAND.
Al-Ain
League: UAE Professional League (United Arab Emirates)Head Coach: Vladimir Ivic
With 14 top-flight titles and 38 trophies general, Al-Ain are essentially the most profitable membership within the United Arab Emirates. Nonetheless, their domination stretches past the UAE borders. Vladimir Ivic’s males defied the emergence of rich Saudi Professional League golf equipment to carry the AFC Champions League title in 2024.
Regardless of successful their second-ever continental title, issues didn’t go Al-Ain’s manner of their home championship final time period. Although they began the competitors as favorites to say their first league crown since 2022, Al Zaeem needed to accept a dismal fifth-place end. Consequently, they won’t compete in main AFC competitions subsequent season.
Nonetheless, their Champions League triumph earned them a coveted spot on the Membership World Cup. The event now gives Al-Ain a singular likelihood to revive satisfaction and showcase their power on the worldwide stage regardless of home setbacks. Sadly, the chances stay firmly stacked in opposition to them.
Star participant: Bread Fo-Doh E-book
Lengthy-serving Al-Ain stalwart Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba could also be unknown to wider worldwide audiences, however his affect in Asian soccer is simple. The Togolese striker has been a nightmare for opposition defenses since becoming a member of the membership in 2019 and even completed final season because the Professional League high scorer.
Potential beginning line-up (4-3-3): Eisa; Erik, Kouadio, Cardoso, Traore; Nader, Park, Palacios; Kaku, Rahimi, Laba.
Wydad and
League: BotolaHead coach: Mohamed Amine Benhachem
Considered one of Africa’s most embellished golf equipment, Wydad AC earned their spot on the 2025 FIFA Membership World Cup as Morocco’s consultant, due to the 2022 CAF Champions League triumph. With three CAF Champions League titles and over 20 home trophies, the Casablanca-based giants are not any strangers to elite competitors.
After a turbulent 2024/25 home season, highlighted by a third-place end, Wydad are desirous to make a press release on the world stage. They would be the least engaging workforce on paper. Nonetheless, different Group G members could be naive to underestimate the so-called ‘Membership of the Resistance.’
Certainly, with a passionate fanbase behind them and a wealthy custom of success, Wydad head into the Membership World Cup seeking to trigger an upset or two. These unaware of Wydad’s supporters might need to examine some YouTube movies to get a greater understanding of the unbelievable environment they create.
Star Participant: Samuel screwdriver
Samuel Obeng will make his Wydad debut at this event after swapping Casa Pia for Stade Mohamed V this summer time. As a uncommon foreigner within the squad, expectations can be excessive for the 28-year-old, who spent his complete profession within the Iberian Peninsula earlier than crossing the Mediterranean.
Potential beginning line-up (4-4-2): El motie; Moufid, Marmouk, Nassik, Harkass; MALSA, SAKHI, Zemraoui, Arthur; Rayhi, Obeng.
Prediction
Group Winr: Manchester MetropolisSecond-place finisher: Juventus
Man Metropolis’s refreshed squad may very well be essentially the most thrilling workforce to look at in the summertime event. Nonetheless, after a dismal 2024/25 season, Guardiola will seemingly recognize outcomes over leisure. Subsequently, the Residents ought to seize the highest spot on this group.
In the meantime, Juventus will not be their finest model, however their high quality and expertise nonetheless make them robust contenders for the knockout stage. No matter their current struggles, the Bianconeri ought to have simply sufficient to outpace Al-Ain and Wydad within the race for second place.
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