
Juvefc.com
·17 June 2025
Al Ain Director discuss their Club World Cup match against Juventus

In partnership with
Yahoo sportsJuvefc.com
·17 June 2025
Juventus will face UAE-based Al Ain in their opening fixture at the upcoming Club World Cup, and while many observers expect the Bianconeri to emerge victorious, the team must approach the match with complete seriousness and focus.
As one of Europe’s representatives in the tournament, Juventus are widely seen as a potential finalist, particularly given the dominance European clubs have displayed in past editions. With leagues across the continent attracting top talent from all over the world, it is commonly assumed that the winner of the competition will once again come from Europe.
Placed in the same group as Manchester City, Juventus are expected to be one of the top two sides progressing from their pool. A win against Al Ain in their first outing would be a significant step toward advancing to the knockout stage. However, taking victory for granted would be a mistake.
While Juventus may be favoured on paper, it is essential to recognise the efforts and quality of every participating team. Al Ain, representing the UAE, have earned its spot in the tournament and cannot be dismissed as mere underdogs. In international competitions, complacency often leads to surprises, and Juventus must treat every opponent as a serious contender.
(Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Al Ain’s sporting director, Mohamed Saif Al Katbi, has commented on their upcoming encounter with the Italian giants. As quoted by Tuttomercatoweb, he said: “If you ask anyone their opinion on Juventus, I think everyone can say that it is one of the best teams in the world, for many years, history says so. We know that we will face a top team and that it will be one of the candidates to compete until the end. We know its quality, we respect it, but we will try to do our best to compete in this match.”
Respecting the opposition will be vital to Juventus’ campaign, especially in the early stages of the tournament. Every club has worked hard to be there and deserves its place. Juventus must approach each fixture with humility and determination if they are to go all the way.