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Audi Discipline in Washington, DC, units the stage for a handsomely-looking FIFA World Cup conflict between Al-Ain and Juventus. With Manchester Metropolis going through Wydad later within the night, a extremely aggressive Group G appears destined for a captivating begin.
Juventus certified for the UEFA Champions League through one other top-four end in Serie A. Nevertheless, the 2024/25 season didn’t go as anticipated. Regardless of large squad investments, the Bianconeri by no means questioned Napoli’s Scudetto credentials.
Quite the opposite, they needed to concern for his or her top-four standing till the ultimate weekend. Former supervisor Thiago Motta failed to fulfill expectations, and Igor Tudor will intention to keep away from the identical destiny after steering the membership again to Europe’s elite competitors.
But, Juventus couldn’t add to their trophy cupboard within the season simply gone. Subsequently, their maiden look on the Membership World Cup could possibly be an excellent alternative for the Turin heavyweights to halt a chastening 26-year drought with no continental trophy.
In contrast to their rivals, Al-Ain triumphed within the AFC Champions League as lately as 2023. As such, they’ll return to the Membership World Cup for the primary time since 2018, once they needed to accept a runner-up end after a 4-1 defeat to Actual Madrid within the showpiece occasion.
The chances stay firmly stacked towards the 14-time UAE Professional League champions. However they deserve the advantage of the doubt. In spite of everything, they defeated Juventus’ golden technology, that includes Gianluigi Buffon and Alessandro Del Piero, in a mid-season pleasant in 2003.
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Al-Ain
That victory is an historic historical past. Nevertheless, confidence ought to nonetheless be excessive round Al-Ain’s camp. Certainly, they headed into the event on a promising seven-game unbeaten streak in all competitions (W4, D3), racking up a powerful six clear sheets in that sequence.
Regardless of ending fifth of their home championship final time period, Al-Ain solely misplaced two of their 26 league video games with out scoring. On that foundation, it’s laborious to envisage a ‘blowout’ on this fixture. Moreover, they have a tendency to make a spectacle of their worldwide matches.
For context, 11 of their final 13 outings within the AFC Champions League have seen each groups on the scoresheet. A lot credit score for Al-Ain’s respectable scoring file goes to long-serving stalwart Kodjo Laba. The veteran striker has amassed 145 targets from as many appearances for the membership.
Laba will once more maintain the important thing to Al-Ain’s hopes of navigating this blockbuster part. But, three consecutive shutouts within the build-up to this journey throughout the Atlantic recommend Vladimir Ivic’s males can even depend on a newfound defensive solidity.
Juventus
After years of decline, few know what to anticipate from Juventus on the worldwide stage. Certainly, the record-time Italian champions suffered an early UEFA Champions League exit in 2024/25 and had been gradual to recuperate ever after.
Juventus’ middling return of seven wins from 14 home video games after the continental heartbreak doesn’t make for good studying (D3, L4). If it’s any comfort, they’d completed the final Serie A season on a five-game unbeaten run (W3, D2), together with a decisive 3-2 win at Venezia on the ultimate weekend.
For thus lengthy, Juventus had been synonymous with defensive soundness. Nevertheless, that’s now a part of the membership’s previous, with the Bianconeri solely managing three clear sheets throughout their final 11 fixtures. Subsequently, Tudor will hope to deal with these leaks in the USA and hold his facet in fine condition forward of 2025/26.
Alternatively, Dusan Vlahovic could also be enjoying his final event within the Juventus shirt. Per Soccer Transfers, Manchester United have intensified their pursuit of the ex-Fiorentina striker regardless of Tudor’s willingness to reinstate the Serbian striker.
Maybe this occasion could possibly be his closing likelihood to rekindle his Juventus profession.
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Along with Laba, Al-Ain will closely depend on the 2023 AFC Champions League MVP Soufiane Rahimi to steer the cost. Paraguayan ace Kaku is one other thrilling participant on this worldwide roster, whereas new addition Rui Patricio wants no introduction.
In the meantime, Manuel Locatelli needs to be in competition for the beginning line-up regardless of withdrawing from the Italy nationwide crew because of harm. Nevertheless, this conflict will come too quickly for Gleison Bremer, Juan Cabal, Mattia Perin, and Arkadiusz Milik.
Al-Ain vs Juventus Potential Beginning Line-ups
Al-Ain (3-2-2): Patricio; Autonne, Park, Cardo; Traare, Nader, Palace, Erik; Strengths; Lab, Rahimi.
Juventus (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Gatti, Kelly; Gonzalez, Thuram, Locatelli, Cambiaso; Conceicao, Yildiz; Kolo Muani.
Al-Ain vs Juventus Prediction
Regardless of all of the struggles all through the season, Juventus nonetheless boast a aggressive edge on this contest. A slender win for the Italian giants is on the playing cards. Certainly, this received’t be a stroll within the park for Tudor’s facet.
Prediction: Juventus to Win
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