Everton vs. Juventus: Previewing International Champions Cup Clash

Everton face Juventus at AT&T Park in San Francisco this Wednesday, for Match 2 of the International Champions Cup.

The rather glamorously formatted tournament consists of eight top teams from around the globe, all looking to sharpen their skills in preparation for the new season.

Everton and Juventus join Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Valencia, AC Milan and—the only side not in preseason mode—LA Galaxy.

Each side plays three games and, depending on their results, will be ranked from one-to-eight by the end of the tournament.

Preseason Form

Having faced the likes of Accrington Stanley and Blackburn over the past week, Everton will have to raise their performance levels considerably in order to keep pace with current Serie A champions, Juventus.

The Toffees pulled off encouraging wins against both local sides, winning 4-1 at Accrington and 3-1 at Blackburn, although they slipped to a 2-1 defeat against an Austria Vienna side much further along with their conditioning. 

The Bianconeri romped to a 7-0 win over Valle d'Aosta before playing out consecutive 0-0 draws against AC Milan and Sassuolo, winning the former on penalties but losing the latter.

These previous friendlies will have served as insignificant fitness boosters for both sides. Appetisers to the International Champions Cup which provides a chance to up the intensity, maintain a system and weave together high tempo phases in some marquee fixtures.

Players to Watch

For Everton, all eyes will be on new loan signing, Gerard Deulofeu. The prodigiously talented Spaniard, who has yet to be seen in action for the Toffees, should finally make his first team bow during this tournament.

Once on the field he's likely to feature in an attacking berth behind a lone striker, perhaps with extra creative license to express himself.

Elsewhere for the Toffees, the form players of preseason have thus far been Kevin Mirallas and Seamus Coleman. Their blend of pace, energy and dynamic skill has already caused havoc for defenders and both players are likely to form Everton's right flank.

Juventus boast two elite strikers in Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente. Both are new summer signings and the focus will very much be on them and how Antonio Conte deploys them.

Tevez netted once in his side's 7-0 win but, other than that, neither have shown their goalscoring touch just yet. Away from the forwards it's impossible to watch Juventus without being drawn to the masterful Andrea Pirlo, who will be dictating his side's tempo from the heart of midfield.

Possession Battle

A key to this game will be the battle for possession. Everton have incorporated a greater emphasis on ball retention under Roberto Martinez, breaking away from the more defensively resilient but increasingly direct methods of David Moyes.

While this has been effective so far during preseason, there cannot be many worse players to come up against than Pirlo, especially when adjusting to this as a new style.

The Italian veteran will be intent on keeping the ball away from the Toffees for long periods and ensuring his side dominates this contest—a scenario that may see Martinez's side struggle to maintain his approach. 

Prediction: Everton 1-2 Juventus

Juventus boast one of the best squads in European football and if Conte opts to deploy a full-strength lineup then the Toffees are in for a tough evening.

Thus far, Everton's attack has appeared decent under Martinez's evolving system, however this is where the defensive stability that accompanies his approach will receive its sternest examination.

That was of course the department where Martinez struggled most while at Wigan, and his defence will do very well not to be breeched during this contest.

While Juventus haven't shown a great amount of attacking prowess in their previous two friendlies, they are sure to take this tournament a little more seriously and start the game as strong favourites.

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