Juventus claim 3-2 win in Sydney

Italian league champions Juventus staged a strong second-half rally for a 3-2 win over Australia’s A-League All Stars, led by Alessandro Del Piero, in a pre-season friendly yesterday at Sydney’s Olympic stadium. Fernando Llorente, Paul Pogba and Simone Pepe netted second-half goals as the “Old Lady” came from behind twice against an A-League team that scored through Marcelo Carrusca and Tomi Juric.

Juventus started with a near-full-strength line-up, but struggled to break through until late in the second half.

Sydney-based Del Piero was substituted after 63 minutes to warm embraces from former Juve team-mates and a standing ovation from the 55,000 crowd. The 39-year-old spent 19 seasons at Juve and holds club records for most goals (289) and most appearances (705).

The hosts took a 1-0 lead on 10 minutes when Carrusca slotted past Buffon, before Juventus equalised at the start of the second half when Patrice Evra crossed for Llorente to head past All Stars’ goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic.

Substitute striker Juric gave the hosts a 2-1 lead in the 76th minute, but Pogba levelled for Juventus with a stunning volley in the 85th, before substitute Pepe blasted home the winner in injury time. AP