Ahead the much-anticipated FIFA Club World Cup clash between Juventus and Manchester City in Orlando, Juventus head coach Igor Tudor addressed the media with clarity and conviction. His message was direct: Juventus are not stepping onto the pitch to settle for a draw—they are going out to win.
Preparation and Mindset
“We worked on all aspects to reach this match in the best possible way: we evaluated who to play, given that we played two demanding matches and it is important to understand who can play for the whole match and who can come in to give their best,” Tudor explained. “It will be a great match to play, for those who played more it was three days of recovery, the others pushed a bit more. There is a great desire to do well, there is a good energy; already by qualifying for the next round, we have achieved the first mini-objective and this makes us feel good. We want to win, you cannot play for a draw. Tomorrow we take to the field to win, you do not prepare matches to draw.”
Facing Manchester City
Tudor acknowledged the challenges posed by both the weather and the opposition. “The heat will affect both teams, the time and the temperature are not the best for playing football, Pep Guardiola is right when he says that you cannot push to the maximum. We arrive differently to Manchester City: they made many changes between one and the other match, we fielded the same eleven. Tomorrow we will definitely change something, but we want to play a serious game and win, fielding players who can help us achieve this goal.”
He emphasized the importance of focusing solely on the match at hand: “We must only think about tomorrow’s game, which will be a beautiful game to play. The lads are motivated and eager, everyone wants to play. Those who will not play from the start are disappointed, because everyone wants to play these games. Manchester City is a team that has dominated for years, led by the best coach in the world. It will be a game in which we give everything, we will play our football, they will play theirs and we will see what the final result will be.”
Individual Performances and Team Spirit
Tudor took time to praise several of his players, highlighting both their talent and attitude. “Yildiz is playing very well. He has the right mindset, he loves playing football, everything else follows from that. His qualities are there for all to see, but the key is his desire to always give his best and leave everything on the pitch. He pushes from the first to the last minute, both in games and in training, he never holds back. It’s a beautiful and rare thing.”
He continued, “Thuram, for me, has played at a very high level. Conceicao, Kolo Muani, and Alberto have all had two excellent games each. Savona is doing well in the position I’ve used him in. He needs to gain some strength to handle certain situations, but we’re working on that. Beyond that, there are so many positive things. He’s professional, intelligent on the pitch, understands what’s happening, and has great speed. He’s humble and listens—a quality that’s becoming rare but is very valuable.”
On Kostic, Tudor said, “For me, he’s a nice surprise. I hadn’t coached him before, but he’s a player who fits the kind of football I like. He’s always available, professional, has good legs and technique, and already knows the group well. I like him.”
Selection Decisions and Injury Updates
Tudor also provided updates on player availability: “Milik is training with us, but it’s too soon for him to play. Conceicao had a calf issue; I think tomorrow he can be on the bench and depending on how he feels, we’ll see if he can play. Locatelli, Koopmeiners, and Gatti? One of them will start.”
The Stakes
While both Juventus and Manchester City have already qualified for the knockout stages, the top spot in the group—and a potentially easier path in the next round—is still up for grabs. Tudor made it clear that Juventus are not content to coast: “We want to win, you cannot play for a draw.”
As the teams prepare to face off, Tudor’s words set the tone for a high-stakes encounter: “It will be a game in which we give everything, we will play our football, they will play theirs and we will see what the final result will be.”
