Juventus manager Igor Tudor has officially confirmed that defender Gleison Bremer is set to start in the club’s upcoming friendly match against German side Borussia Dortmund on August 10. This announcement marks a significant step in Bremer`s recovery following a long-term cruciate ligament injury.
Bremer has been diligently working on his comeback since sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture during a Champions League group stage encounter against RB Leipzig last October. That unfortunate injury had sidelined him for the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign.
The Brazilian central defender has steadily increased his playing time during Juventus`s pre-season preparations. His start against Dortmund will be a crucial opportunity to gain match fitness, as this fixture serves as the Bianconeri`s second-to-last friendly of the summer.
During a press conference held on Saturday, prior to Sunday`s friendly against Dortmund, Tudor offered insights into his team`s performance throughout their pre-season training camp in Germany.
“We`ve had an excellent week of work in a superb location. Our focus has been entirely on on-pitch training, and the players have consistently shown willingness and professionalism.”
“Tomorrow`s game promises to be excellent, played in a full stadium, and it will serve as a crucial test to gauge our current standing and more. It`s essential for our players to accumulate minutes in the upcoming matches, which will also aid us in evaluating the work we`ve put in during these days.”
“August friendlies are always distinct,” Tudor continued. “During these initial weeks of training, we`ve pushed hard, focusing on high-load sessions. Over the next few days, we`ll adjust the intensity to ensure we`re in peak condition for our first official match of the season, which is just two weeks away. Every team adopts its own approach to preparing for the season.”
Tudor Confirms Bremer and Provides Update on Koopmeiners
Tudor further confirmed his intention to start Bremer, and also provided an update regarding Teun Koopmeiners.
“I`m utilizing this entire month to maximize our work, as I`m well aware that once the season commences, there will be significantly less time for such intensive training.”
“The squad at my disposal is robust and competitive, comprised of players eager to contribute. Jonathan David and Joao Mario are integrating smoothly and are both set to start tomorrow`s encounter against Borussia Dortmund. We`ve had a three-week break for the holidays, and the players have returned motivated and are already in good physical shape.”
“Gleison Bremer and Teun Koopmeiners are both top-tier players; they`re preparing optimally and will play crucial roles this season. I plan to start Gleison tomorrow to assess his current condition and help him accumulate more match minutes.”