Juventus stars get ready to tackle Champions League games

A quartet of summer signings will get a shot to sport a Juve jersey this month when the Bianconeri kick off their campaign in Europe’s leading club competition.
Edon Zhegrova, left, and Jonathan David played for LOSC Lille against Juventus in last season's Champions League
Edon Zhegrova, left, and Jonathan David played for LOSC Lille against Juventus in last season's Champions League | FRANCOIS LO PRESTI/GettyImages

Juventus newcomers’ Jonathan David, Joao Mario, Lois Openda, Edon Zhegrova all have Champions League experience so should prove invaluable for head coach Igor Tudor this season.

Tudor has added goal poacher David and unorthodox center forward Openda to take the pressure off striker Dusan Vlahovic, who was expected to leave before the transfer deadline.

Canada hot-shot David has bagged 10 Champions League goals in 18 appearances, while Belgium marksman Openda has netted five times in 25 matches. Vlahovic has scored six goals in 16 Champions League games.

Portugal right-back Mario competed in 19 Champions League contests for FC Porto, with Kosovo right winger Zhegrova having only competed in six Champions League matches.

Milik missing from Juve's Champions League squad

Arkadiusz Milik was omitted from the 29-strong Juventus squad for the Champions League group phase games, but could soon be plying his trade in the Turkish Super Lig.

The Poland international striker, who missed last season through a spate of injuries but signed a new contract this year, was expected to be offloaded on loan to a Serie A side during the summer transfer window.

Although AC Milan manager Max Allegri showed a glimmer of interest in being reunited with the 31-year-old that he coached at Juventus, while Spanish outfit Real Betis are still monitoring his situation.

With the Turkish transfer window ending on 12 September, Samsunspor are exploring the chance to sign him and can offer the opportunity of playing Conference League soccer this term.

Bundesliga giants seek revenge over Juventus

Juventus kick off their Champions League group phase with the visit of Borussia Dortmund to Turin on September 16, who they recently beat during a pre-season friendly in Germany.

October will see back-to-back trips to Spain, tackling Villarreal and Real Madrid. The Bianconeri were outplayed by Xabi Alonso’s Madrid in their 2025 FIFA Club World Cup showdown.

Champions League returns to the Allianz Stadium in mid-November for Sporting Lisbon. Juve’s next two games are easier tasks, on paper at least, when they face Bodo/Glimt in Norway followed by the visit of Cyprus side Pafos.

The final Champions League group phase game in Turin will see Benfica arrive for their pre-Christmas clash. Ex-Bianconeri icon Paul Pogba could face his former team-mates when Juventus play AS Monaco inside the Stade Louis II at the end of January.

Juventus 2025/26 Champions League Group Phase Games

September 16 | Borussia Dortmund (home)

October 1 | Villarreal (away)

October 22 | Real Madrid (away)

November 14 | Sporting Lisbon (home)

November 25 | Bodo/Glimt (away)

December 10 | Pafos (home)

December 21 | Benfica (home)

January 28 | AS Monaco (away)

Juventus 2025/26 Champions League Players List A


Vasilije Adzic, Andrea Cambiaso, Gleison Bremer, Juan Cabal, Francisco Conceicao, Jonathan David, Michele Di Gregorio, Federico Gatti, Lloyd Kelly, Teun Koopmeiners, Filip Kostic, Pierre Kalulu, Manuel Locatelli, Joao Mario, Weston McKennie, Fabio Miretti, Lois Openda, Mattia Perin, Carlo Pinsoglio, Daniele Rugani, Khephren Thuram, Dusan Vlahovic, Edon Zhegrova

Juventus 2025/26 Champions League Players List B

Matteo Fuscaldo, Javier Gil Pouche, Bruno Martinez, Jonas Rouhi, Filippo Scaglia, Kenan Yildiz