The A-League All Stars suffered a heart breaking 3-2 defeat at the hand of Italian giants Juventus in Allesandro Del Piero’s last game on Australian soil.
The All Stars took the lead early, and managed to hold a 2-1 advantage as the game neared full time.
However, the class of Juventus shone through as they secured the two goals required to steal victory, the match winner coming in the 93rd minute of the match.
FINAL SCORE:
All Stars 2
Juventus 3
The A-League All Stars host Italian giants Juventus at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on Sunday night. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:30pm (AEST).
All eyes will be on Allesandro Del Piero when he runs out for the A-League All Stars against his old club, for what will likely be his last professional match on Australian soil.
The former Sydney FC superstar is back in the country for one last game as an A-League player, and how fitting it is that it should come against the club at which he made his name.
Del Piero made 513 appearances across 19 seasons for Juventus, scoring 208 goals and lifting the UEFA Champions League trophy in 1996.
Of course, this match is not just about one man. To the delight of football fans all across Australia, Juventus have assembled a full-strength squad for the match which will feature big names such as Andrea Pirlo, Carlos Tevez and Paul Pogba.
On the Indonesian leg of their offseason tour, Juventus stormed past a representative XI 8-1. A daunting thought for the A-League XI to contemplate in the lead up to this match.
The A-League All Star’s attack will be lead by Del Piero, alongside Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory based imports Thomas Broich and Besart Berisha – they will all need to be on top of their game and take every opportunity that is presented to them – because there might not be too many!
The All Star’s coach Josep Gombau has risen to the fore in the Australian coaching ranks for the free-flowing and entertaining brand of Spanish inspired football he brought to Adelaide United. He will undoubtedly be encouraging this play in an attempt to try and combat the flair of Juventus.
However, Gombau’s men enter this match as massive underdogs and will need to be at their best if they are going to challenge the might of Juventus.
Whatever the result, it will be a terrific spectacle to see a packed ANZ Stadium play host to what will certainly be a high quality and highly entertaining match of football.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:30pm (AEST).
If you are following the action live, be sure to share your thoughts on the match in the comments below.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Unlike last year's game where large parts of the crowd were jeering the A-League side, this time around just about everyone was cheering good play from both sides. I probably looked a little funny jumping for joy when Juric scored while wearing my Juve jersey haha but it was all part of the fun and carefree atmosphere at the game.
midfielder
Guest
Great game
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Terrific match - perhaps the best quality football we've seen in 9 years of clubs touring during preseasons. 90' of pure entertainment - even better than MVFC v Liverpool. ALeague lads had ample opportunities to put this away - 2 stunning saves from Buffon & 1 shot from Broich that was going in if not for defender's block.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Really really glad I went. Top quality football. Juventus playing what was close to a full strength was wonderful to see. Ton of credit has to go to Gombau for putting this team together. Their structure and movement was excellent. Seeing Juric score was a great highlight. Juve are a team I've loosely followed for over a decade now, no where near how I follow United but tonight was a million times better than last year. Listening to people on the way out the most common comment seemed to be "great game but A-League games have way better atmosphere "
Domitian
Guest
Great entertainment
Gwagh
Guest
Very entertaining game, much more so than the Man U game last year!
RBBAnonymous
Guest
That was a very entertaining game. A good night of football.
Ben
Guest
Lol! Dammit!! That was awesome - the All Stars were the better team but couldn't get it done in the end. Great game.
Radelaide
Guest
Yeah they were a different team in the second half, thoroughly entertaining.
DragonPunk
Roar Guru
GOAL JUVENTUS! PEPE! The All Stars just couldn't clear it, as they were clinging on, from a corner.. it fell to Pepe, who eventually forced it home for the likely winner. JUV 3 (Pepe '92) ALS 2
jamesb
Guest
You knew it was coming
DragonPunk
Roar Guru
David Williams brings down a nice ball, cutting inside his marker and taking a shot that just evaded the outstretched leg of Ibini. Juventus will counter now. JUV 2 ALS 2
Ben
Guest
This has been fantastic!
DragonPunk
Roar Guru
The Australian side isn't lying down though. Gui Finkler almost responded immediately with an effort, followed by a chance that needed intervention. The resulting corner, came out to Storm Roux, who headed it wide. FOUR MINUTES ADDED ON!
DragonPunk
Roar Guru
That was class from Paul Pogba! He chested it down before unleashing with his right, leaving Birghitti stranded. JUV 2 (Pogba '87) ALS 2
DragonPunk
Roar Guru
Llorente, the gaol-scorer for the Juventus side, is replaced now. They are still searching for an equaliser. JUV 1 ALS 2
DragonPunk
Roar Guru
Ali Abbas, takes a touch before unleashing a shot that doesn't trouble the Juve keeper. JUV 1 ALS 2
Radelaide
Guest
Really enjoying this game, wish the all stars would play big clubs more often.
DragonPunk
Roar Guru
Pogba gallops down the right, swinging in a cross, for Llorente to knock down into the path Marchisio who can't trouble Birghitti. JUV 1 ALS 2 Juventus are making a raft of subs. Tevez and Lichtsteiner both amongst them.
DragonPunk
Roar Guru
Instant Impact! Tomi Juric pounces on a Juventus error at the back, putting it on his right foot and past the Juventus keeper. JUV 1 ALS 2 (Juric '77)