Juventus should be on their guard following AC Milan upset

Serie A kicked off with former Juventus manager Max Allegri handed a shock home defeat, with Juve boss Igor Tudor keen to avoid the same humiliation.
Manuel Locatelli is the Juventus skipper for the 2025/26 season, with Bremer as vice-captain
Manuel Locatelli is the Juventus skipper for the 2025/26 season, with Bremer as vice-captain | Image Photo Agency/GettyImages

Newly-promoted Cremonese stunned AC Milan 2-1 inside the San Siro on Saturday, and around Europe’s top leagues for the initial six weeks there are usually some unexpected results.

Juve welcome Parma to the Allianz Stadium today. Carlos Cuesta, the former Juventus youth team coach and ex-Arsenal assistant manager, is preparing to down the Bianconeri despite being Parma being the underdogs.

Tudor has got the Turin titans back on track following two poor performances in the FIFA Club World Cup followed by a tame display against Serie B minnows AC Reggiana.

Juve are on a winning streak of three wins on the bounce, and in their last outing collected silverware at the expense of hosts Atalanta.

Tudor was candid yet confident at the pre-match press conference about tackling Parma in their Serie A opener.

Tudor aims higher than a top-four finish

The wily Croatian explained: “The first day is always unknown for all teams. Parma is coached by a new coach, his first [senior] managerial role. But if he is in Serie A, it means he is a top-level coach.

“This year all the teams have excellent, strong coaches in the dugout. The players are important in every team, but the coach also plays a significant role. 

“The feelings are positive, and we want to get off to the best possible start in front of our fans.

“I am happy with the team that I have at my disposal, this team has improved a lot. Manuel [Locatelli] is our captain and will be the penalty taker again this year. [Jonathan] David is a good player, very focused, who loves to work hard. He moves very well, especially in the penalty area.

“The goal is to grow in every aspect, and the path we took last season is the right one. We must continue to push forward. The history of this club means we can't just aim to qualify for the Champions League, we have to aim higher.”