Juventus to face Palermo in Optus Stadium friendly on August 11 ahead of 2026-27 season
Juventus will meet Palermo in a pre-season friendly at Optus Stadium on August 11 as both clubs continue preparations for the 2026-27 campaign. The match follows Juventus’ 1-2 loss to Inter Milan and Palermo’s 2-0 victory over Melbourne City in recent friendlies.
Juventus arrive after conceding for the first time in pre-season in their defeat to Inter, having kept clean sheets in their first four warm-up matches, and head coach Luciano Spalletti’s side were assessed as controlling possession but lacking cutting edge in the final third. Francisco Conceição, the 23-year-old Portuguese winger who came off the bench and was Juventus’ sole scorer against Inter, is projected to play a key role in midfield and attack. A social post accompanying the highlights read: "Conceicao scores in Australia 🇦🇺Watch the highlights of #JuveInter on our YouTube channel 🎥📺 https://t.co/aVy1NQzehs pic.twitter.com/Cd2cwdg3f7".
Palermo, managed by Filippo Inzaghi, beat Melbourne City 2-0 in their most recent friendly and will attempt to extend that winning run against a higher-tier opponent. The preview noted Palermo will face a tougher challenge against Juventus despite their positive result in Australia.
Joel Pohjanpalo is highlighted as Palermo’s primary attacking threat; the 31-year-old forward scored 25 goals for his club last season and is expected to lead the line for the Eagles. The article states Pohjanpalo will be a constant threat to the opponent’s defence and will captain Palermo’s attack in the friendly.
Squad availability reported in the preview lists Juventus without Jeff Ekhator due to injury, while Palermo had all players fit and ready for selection. The probable lineups provided were: Di Gregorio (GK); Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly; McKennie, Locatelli, Luiz, Cambiaso; Conceição, Yildiz; David for Juventus, and Joronen (GK); Pierozzi, Peda, Ceccaroni, Augello; Segre, Polumbo, Ranocchia; Le Douaron, Pohjanpalo, Johnsen for Palermo.
The preview judged Juventus’ superior squad quality to give them a slight edge going into the friendly, while noting Palermo will seek to put up a strong fight; the piece concluded that Juventus are likely to come out on top in the upcoming pre-season game.
The friendly will be played at Optus Stadium on August 11.
