The re-naming of the Juventus Stadium to the Allianz Stadium in July, has only suggested the close working synergy between both European heavyweights-Bayern Munich and Juventus will stand the test of time. Dami Ugbane profiles five players to historically play for both clubs.
Hasan Salihamidzic: The hardworking Bosnian was a delight to watch for Bavarian giants, Bayern Munich in a glittering career which started in 1998 and ended in 2007 with Germany’s most successful club side. Salihamidzic was renowned for his consistent work rate when deployed on the right side of defence and midfield during the tenures of Ottmar Hitzfeld, Felix Magath amongst other coaches he played under at Bayern Munich. After a decade plus in Germany, he completed a switch to Juventus in 2007, making Turin his home for four years, as he made 61 appearances in that time for the Old Lady of Italian football.
Mario Mandzukic: Prolific Croatian international forward, Mario Mandzukic was an instant hit when he arrived Bayern Munich from Vfl Wolfsburg. He was an integral member of the team until the summer arrival of Polish international forward, Robert Lewandowski in 2014. He called time on a highly successful career with the Bavarians same summer. Mandzukic towed a similar career line associated with some of Europe’s big name players by switching to Juventus in 2015, where he has won successive Italian Serie A titles. To his credit, he is on record to have scored in different UEFA Champions League finals featuring for Bayern Munich-2013, and Juventus-2017!
Arturo Vidal: Chilean powerhouse, Arturo Vidal has spent his entire European career playing in just two countries-Germany and Italy! The exciting central midfielder moved to Juventus in 2011 as part of Antonio Conte’s revival of the fortunes of the Old Lady. He was one of the first names on the team sheet during his time in Italy, where he emerged league champions in all four of his seasons. Vidal completed a £30million transfer to Bayern Munich in 2015, where he remains to date, netting vital goals and churning out several man-of-the match performances as he clearly standouts as one of world footballs finest box-box midfielders.
Kingsley Coman: French youngster signed as an 18-year-old for Juventus in 2014 as he looked to start a career away from his home country. Not surprisingly, he struggled for game time in his first and only season in Italy, as he failed to cope with the physicality of the demanding Italian league. He was loaned out for two seasons to Bayern Munich the following season, where he earned valuable game time under his belt and also becoming a French international in that time. He forged a reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting young talents under the management of both Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti.
Mehdi Benatia: Hard tackling defender and captain of the Atlas Lions of Morocco, Mehdi Benatia earns a place on this list of illustrious players to feature for both football heavyweights. He was signed for Bayern Munich by Pep Guardiola in 2014, who had high expectations of his defensive abilities as he looked to form a successful partnership with Jerome Boateng. Unfortunately injuries limited his game time with the German giants and after two seasons he was sold to Juventus, where he has expectedly played back-up to the tried and tested trio of Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini.
