Major League Soccer announced Juventus as an opponent in the MLS All-Star Game 2018. The game will be played at the Mercedes-Benz stadium in Atlanta on August 1. Juventus will become the second Italian team to contest it, after Roma participated in 2013, recording a 3-1 victory. "Facing the MLS All-Stars will be a great opportunity to get closer to passionate soccer fans in the United States," Juventus president Andrea Agnelli said in a statement. "For many years, the United States and Canada have been crucial markets for Juventus, as evidenced by our opening of new academies in North America, as well as our growing digital strategy that brings Juventus closer to our fans on the continent as We are back for a second consecutive summer.
"The first team will be ready in Atlanta, looking to show our quality and pride of being invited to play in this prestigious game." Founded in 1897, Juventus is the most decorated club in Italy, with more Serie A and Italian Cup titles than any other club. Led by coach Massimiliano Allegri, Juventus lead the Serie A table. Among their star players are Paulo Dybala; Gonzalo Higuaín, whose brother, Federico Higuaín, plays for Columbus Crew SC; Gianluigi Buffon, one of the best goalkeepers of this generation; midfielder Miralem Pjanic, who leads the club in assists this season; and defender Giorgio Chiellini, a highly respected leader of the club since 2005.Place a bet on your favourite team with premium free betting tips.
Allegri said: "It will be a pleasure for us to play in this game and feel the energy of MLS, a growing league that attracts more and more passionate fans." It will also be a great opportunity for the many followers of Juventus in America. North to see your team and favorite players. " Chicago Fire midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger played on both sides of the MLS All-Star Game, first with Bayern Munich against the MLS team in Portland in 2014, and then captained the All-Stars against Real Madrid. last summer. Now he could face another European power. "I think it's great," he told ESPN FC in an exclusive interview about the possibility of playing against Juventus. "It's one of the best clubs in Europe, especially in recent years, it was always very far in the Champions League as well, it's in Atlanta, where they have a great stadium and the people are amazing there."
At the 2014 All-Star Game, Schweinsteiger was injured late in a play with Will Johnson that he described as "a bit unnecessary". The action provoked the anger of the then Bayern coach, Pep Guardiola, but Schweinsteiger enjoyed it. "I have great memories about the All-Star Games," said Schweinsteiger. "In Portland, I remember that game with Bayern Munich, I literally started to feel love for MLS, I really enjoyed the night. "I saw how positive the energy was in the game as well, and then, last year, when we played at Soldier Field in Chicago, I was captain [against Real Madrid] and it was amazing, I really have to say that the All-Star Game is a very good idea for MLS to compete against this type of top-notch club, it has a big impact on the league. "