Juventus Arrives In Melbourne For ICC Tournament Missing 13 Of Its Biggest Stars

A "decimated Juventus squad flew in to Melbourne on Monday night" minus 13 of its biggest stars, according to Matt Windley of the HERALD SUN. The recently completed European Championships in France "was always going to pose logistical issues for the club’s high profile players in need of a mandated holiday period after a taxing 2015-16 season." And given that Juventus provided more players to Euro 2016 squads -- 13 -- than any other club, it "was always going to struggle to field a full-strength side for matches at the MCG." But Monday’s squad release "was still a hammer blow for tournament organisers," with the club's first game against Melbourne Victory just four days away. Nine players from Juventus’ youth team "have made the trip as well as one other, goalkeeper Leonardo Loria," from the U17 squad (HERALD SUN, 7/18).