06 March 2017
Reigning champions Juventus will kick off the defence of their Viareggio Cup crown against Czech outfit Dukla Prague on Monday 13 March at 15.00 CET, the opening fixture of the prestigious youth trophy, now entering its 69th edition.
Fabio Grosso’s side are also joined in Group 1 by Toronto FC and Maceratese, meeting the Canadians and their fellow Italians on 15 March and 18 March respectively.
The 40 competing sides (in ten groups of four) will be narrowed down to 16 for a straight knockout round beginning on the 22 March (last 16) with the latter stages to follow on 24 March (quarter-finals), 27 March (semi-finals) and 29 March (final).
The Bianconeri defeated the likes of Milan, Bologna, Spezia and Palermo on their way to the club’s joint-record ninth Viareggio Cup title last season after seeing off Deportivo Camioneros (Argentina), Crotone (Italy) and L.I.A.C New York (USA) in the preliminary group stages.
Group 1: Juventus, Dukla Praga (Czech Republic), Toronto (Canada), Maceratese.
Group 2: Atalanta, Osasco (Brazil), Abuja (Nigeria), Ancona.
Group 3: Empoli, Zenit San Pietroburgo (Russia), Athletic Union (USA), Ascoli.
Group 4: Inter, Pas Giannina (Greece), L.I.A.C. New York (USA), Spal.
Group 5: Bologna, PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands), Sassuolo, Pisa.
Group 6: Napoli, Camioneros (Argentina), Serie D XI, Bari.
Group 7: Milan, Belgrano (Argentina), Ujana (DR Congo), Spezia.
Group 8: Fiorentina, Cai (Argentina), Garden City Panthers (Nigeria), Perugia.
Group 9: Genoa, Club Brugge (Belgium), Cagliari, Parma.
Group 10: Torino, Rijeka (Croatia), Cortuluá (Colombia), Reggiana.
