A Juventus duo has surprisingly made it into the squad for today’s home game against Dortmund. Meanwhile, new signing Lois Openda is eyeing a debut.
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Not in the final training session, yet still included in the squad? Francisco Conceição has pulled off this unexpected twist at Juventus.
The tricky winger, renowned for his quick feet and fearless dribbling, was left out of Monday’s training but nevertheless found his name on the list of players announced by the club for Tuesday night’s Champions League opener against Borussia Dortmund. It is a surprising development that has already raised eyebrows among Juve supporters, especially as the young Portuguese attacker is still fresh in many minds after his stunning Nations League semifinal cameo. Coming on as a substitute, Conceição almost single-handedly unsettled Germany’s defense and left Waldemar Anton chasing shadows, earning himself a standout kicker rating of 1.5 in the process.
The decision to include him comes despite recent absences. In the thrilling 4–3 Serie A victory over Inter Milan on Saturday – a match that produced one of the most dramatic spectacles of the young season – Conceição played no part. It was Juve’s third win in as many games, establishing them as early pace-setters in Italy, but the winger’s omission led many to assume he might be sidelined for longer. Monday’s missed training seemed to confirm that. For this reason, few expected him to be in contention against Dortmund, especially as Juve coach Igor Tudor had already stated that certain players were being carefully managed due to fitness concerns.
Among those is Edon Zhegrova, the Kosovo international who sealed a Deadline Day switch from Lille OSC for €14.3 million. Born in Herford, Germany, Zhegrova has been seen as an exciting addition to Juve’s attack, but his long absence from competitive action he has not played since December due to injury makes him a longer-term project. Tudor himself admitted before the Inter clash that Zhegrova would not be part of the squad either against the Nerazzurri or against Dortmund. The coach’s comments had suggested a cautious approach, making Conceição’s inclusion even more surprising.
Yet, while one winger remains on standby, another new arrival could be set for a starring role. Lois Openda, the Belgian striker loaned from RB Leipzig in a deal that includes a likely mandatory purchase next summer, is widely expected to be handed his first start in Juventus colors. Italian media report that the 24-year-old is being lined up to partner Jonathan David in attack, forming a dynamic new-look forward line. Openda already made his debut against Inter, coming on in the 73rd minute, and immediately witnessed the frenetic finale in which Juventus overturned deficits twice before securing a 4–3 win in stoppage time. David, meanwhile, also came off the bench in that game after starting the previous two, underlining Tudor’s growing options in attack.
For Borussia Dortmund, Openda is a name that evokes caution. During his two seasons in the Bundesliga, he repeatedly caused problems for the German side, particularly away from home. Across four league meetings, the Belgian registered four goal contributions. In Leipzig’s 4–1 dismantling of Dortmund late in the 2023/24 season, he scored the opening goal and provided an assist for the third. The season before, he had already tormented Dortmund by assisting in a 2–1 victory at Signal Iduna Park and then scoring in a 2–0 win in Leipzig. His pace, movement, and eye for goal have consistently exposed weaknesses in BVB’s defense, making him one of the most dangerous threats they will face on Tuesday.
This is not the first time Openda has crossed paths with Dortmund in Europe either. Back in September 2018, as an 18-year-old at Club Brugge, he made his Champions League debut against the German side. Although Brugge failed to score in both group-stage encounters that season a narrow 1–0 defeat and a goalless draw – the experience provided a glimpse of Openda’s potential at the elite level. Now, seven years later, he returns as a far more polished forward, carrying the expectations of Juventus fans eager to see their revamped attack make an early statement in Europe.
There is also positive news for Juventus with the return of Andrea Cambiaso, who missed the Inter clash but is now available again. His comeback provides Tudor with additional depth in midfield and defense, adding balance to a squad that has undergone significant changes in recent months.
Dortmund, however, will not underestimate their Italian opponents. Juventus may have only scraped into the knockout round of last season’s Champions League league phase, finishing 20th, before falling to PSV Eindhoven in the play-offs, but the squad has been reinforced heavily since then. The arrivals of Openda, David, Zhegrova, and Conceição signal a bold new attacking project in Turin, one that aims to restore the club’s European pedigree.
Coach Igor Tudor has been quick to downplay expectations while simultaneously raising the bar. Reflecting on the dramatic win over Inter, he declared: “We played against the best team in Serie A,” a remark that surprised many given Inter’s status as last season’s runners-up and Napoli’s position as reigning champions. Tudor’s assessment, however, emphasized the depth and quality he perceives in Inter’s squad. His next line was even more telling: “And we won, even though we didn’t show our best performance.” It was a message both of pride and of warning Juventus are winning games, but in Tudor’s eyes, they have not yet reached their full potential.
All of this sets the stage for a fascinating showdown in Turin. Dortmund arrive as one of Germany’s traditional heavyweights, hungry to start their Champions League campaign on a high after a mixed domestic run. Juventus, meanwhile, step onto the European stage with a refreshed squad, a manager eager to prove himself, and a fan base desperate to see their club reestablish itself among Europe’s elite. Between the surprise inclusion of Conceição, the potential first start for Openda, and the return of Cambiaso, Juve’s squad announcement alone has created a buzz – and Tuesday night’s clash promises to deliver even more drama.
