International Champions Cup Headline: Diego’s Revenge Mission

Atletico Madrid vs Juventus

There’s another blockbuster clash in the International Champions Cup at the Friends Arena this weekend when Atletico Madrid takes on Juventus.

This game gives us the best of La Liga versus Serie A but with a nice sub-plot. Juventus dumped Atleti out of the 2019 Champions League after Los Rojiblancos had taken a two-goal lead to Turin. The Spaniard’s legendary defence was cut to ribbons by its old foe, Cristiano Ronaldo, and that’s a scar which head coach Diego Simeone still bears.

There have been big changes at the Wanda Metropolitano over the transfer window as Simeone prepares for another assault on La Liga, while an old face has returned to Serie A to lead the Bianconeri.

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Talking Points

Atleti’s strikers already on target

A 7-3 win over Real Madrid gave Los Rojiblancos a huge boost in the run-up to the new La Liga season and SBOBET tips Diego Simeone’s team to push Barcelona hard for the Spanish title again. After a mad summer of sales and signings, Simeone has welcomed Joao Felix to the club. He hopes the 19-year-old Portuguese sensation could eventually be a replacement for the departed Antoine Griezmann, and he has already showed he has an eye for goal, on target in a recent 3-0 win against the MLS all-stars last week.

Simeone can be happy with the form of his strikers, after pummelling Los Blancos, Marcos Llorente and Diego Costa joined Felix on the score sheet in the victory over Major League Soccer’s finest.

Having said goodbye to defensive rock Diego Godin, Simeone has moved to strengthen in defence. Kieran Trippier has arrived from Spurs and has already settled well. But Los Rojiblancos might miss midfield lynchpin Rodri, who has made the switch to Manchester City. They need a fast start to the new season and will want to keep the momentum they have started to gather.

Sarri happy to be back home

The return of Maurizio Sarri to Serie A has put a smile on the Juve head coach’s face after a difficult season in the Premier League. He led Chelsea to a creditable third-placed finish and a Europa League title, but that didn’t seem to be enough for the Blues’ owners, and Sarri’s authority had been challenged, notably by keeper Kepa who refused to be substituted in the Carabao Cup final, only to lose a penalty shoot-out!

Sarri has coached in Italy for the vast majority of his career and has signed a contract to take over at Juventus until 2022.

Two European powerhouses face off for the final match of International Champions Cup — Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri during the post match press conference

The pre-season ICC 2019 results have been a little hit and miss for the Old Lady. After falling to a late Harry Kane wonder strike against Spurs, I Bianconeri beat Inter Milan on penalties as Ronaldo scored in a 1-1 draw.

This game comes too early for new signing Danilo who is on his way to Juventus in a swap deal with Joao Cancelo heading to Manchester City.

History

Atleti has won the last five games while Juventus has just picked up a first win in six – beating Inter Milan 4-3. The Bianconeri earned just two points from their last four games last season, having won the Scudetto at a canter. We can’t rely entirely on recent form for our Atletico Madrid vs Juventus betting tips, the coaches are working towards their domestic seasons, but there is a little more riding on this game.

Memories of these two clubs’ last meeting still hurt in Madrid. Atletico headed to Turin with a two-goal lead which they surely expected to successfully defend. But Ronaldo, who had only scored one Champions League goal for Juventus in the run-up to the game, helped himself to a hat-trick.

That was Juventus’ only win over Los Rojiblancos in their four meetings, with Atleti winning two and there has been one draw.

Simeone’s team sits fifth in the ICC table with Juve down in ninth, but the only thing at stake here is pride, and starting places.

Betting Tip

	Atletico Madrid vs Juventus	Atletico Madrid Draw no Bet @2.00
	August 11, 00:26 (GMT+8)

There is very little to choose between these two teams with Atletico Madrid at 2.65 to win and Juventus at 2.54 with the draw an outside bet at 3.25.

1-1 is the most likely scoreline at 5.60, but with Atleti’s strikers looking sharp already, 2-1 might be a nice alternative bet at 9.00.

Simeone would love to put on over on Sarri and start the La Liga season on a high.