Juventus boss Igor Tudor has announced that defender Gleison Bremer will be in the starting line-up for the upcoming pre-season meeting with Borussia Dortmund. The Brazilian centre-back is returning after being sidelined since October, when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a Champions League group stage clash with RB Leipzig, ending his 2024–25 season early.
Bremer has been steadily increasing his playing time during the club’s summer programme and will now have the chance to start in what will be the Bianconeri’s second-to-last warm-up fixture before the new campaign.
Tudor reflects on training camp progress
Speaking to the media on Saturday ahead of the friendly, Tudor described a productive week at their training camp in Germany. He praised the squad’s commitment and attitude, noting the benefits of working in strong conditions.
“We’ve had an excellent week here, focusing on our on-pitch work with the players showing professionalism and willingness,” Tudor explained. He added that the Dortmund game would serve as an important checkpoint to measure progress, as well as a way to build match fitness before the competitive season begins in two weeks.
The Croatian coach noted that August friendlies carry a particular rhythm, with heavy workloads in early sessions followed by a gradual reduction in intensity to ensure peak readiness for the first official fixture.
Updates on squad and selections
Tudor confirmed that Jonathan David and Joao Mario are adapting well to their new surroundings and will also be in the starting XI against Dortmund. The coach stressed the value of using the pre-season period for intensive preparation before the tighter schedule of competitive play.
He also offered a brief update on midfielder Teun Koopmeiners, grouping him with Bremer as a key figure for the upcoming campaign. “Both are top players, preparing in the best possible way and ready to have a major role this season,” Tudor said, adding that Bremer’s start on Saturday would help further assess his match readiness.
