Amidst the dubious transfer of Joao Cancelo to Manchester City and the Dybala-induced chaos, Juventus now face their final test before the season starts. Atletico de Madrid is more than a difficult task for the Piemontese, having demolished their cross-town rivals Real Madrid 7-2 earlier this pre-season.
The Swedish capital of Stockholm will provide a beautiful setting for this ICC duel, with Friends Arena in Solna being the venue. The stadium has a rather brief history, but an interesting one nevertheless. The Swedish Champions AIK use the stadium as their absolute fortress, with their fans providing one of the best atmospheres Sweden has to offer. Friends Arena is the Swedish national stadium as well and has hosted some iconic moments. Zlatan’s overhead scissor kick in the virgin game of the stadium, Jakob Johansson’s deflected strike that took Sweden to the World Cup in Russia as well as heaps of ”Ibracadabra”.
This game will act as the final test before the new season commences. Two very capable teams with vastly different tactical approaches face off in what could be a splendid experience for everyone involved. The main features of this game in Stockholm will surely be the Portuguese duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix, while new signings Aaron Ramsey and Renan Lodi will play an interesting part for the respective teams.
The Portuguese football of yesterday, today and many tomorrows will face off in this most marvellous of games. Two rather similar players in some regards but different in the way they are utlizied within their respective teams: Ronaldo being the brute up top with the sensational flamboyance to knock the fans off their seats with every possible move, and Felix with the technical ability of something inhuman and with two capable and powerful feet and a natural flair. This will indeed be a match-up worth enjoying.
Aaron Ramsey, newly arrived in Turin, is another signing Juventus fans should keep an eye on. The Welsh star has had a marvellous career so far and has scored in two FA Cup finals and has won three of those with the London club. He now joins Juve as their main signing of the summer, alongside the well-covered Matthijs de Ligt, and will prove to be a crucial part of their midfield pivot.
Renan Lodi is the next one in the long line of Brazilian wing backs to come out of the Brazilian league. Lodi has had a great few years with Paranaense and joins Atleti with more than just hopes for titles- he wants to prove himself on the grand stage and Atletico Madrid have proven themselves to be the perfect place to do just that. Lodi undoubtedly faces a great career in Europe and we will all be intrigued to see what his Atleti stint can provide, with it perhaps starting for real this Saturday against Juve in Stockholm.