Adidas defend Juve's controversial new home shirt

An Adidas designer has defended Juventus' new home strip this season after it received a backlash from fans.

This season, the Serie A champions are wearing a new half-and-half design as opposed to the legendary black and white stripes.

Jokers on social media suggested there must have been a mix-up with Juventus' kit and those worn by Udinese and Siena, while others questioned if it would look better on a jockey competing in a horse race.

The design director of Adidas' football department Inigo Turner wanted the strip to be less predictable, however.

'We're really aware [of the reception the shirt is getting],' Turner told ESPN.

'We prefer when it's well received.  Obviously when you do something that's quite bold, there will be a reaction at least to begin with.

'Sometimes jerseys take a little longer to become a favourite. It could be that the team needs to wear it a little bit and then people will go, "Yeah, now I'm really used to it. I really like it". Everybody has an opinion.

'We also think that to stay in these traditional shirts all the time would also be a little bit predictable and not push things forward.

'It's something that we're compelled to do at Adidas: drive forward the look of football on the field.'