Juventus head coach Igor Tudor addressed the media ahead of the crucial Serie A clash with Udinese, offering a candid assessment of his time at the club, the challenges faced, and his outlook on the future.
Team Condition and Injury Updates
Tudor opened the press conference with a positive update on the squad’s condition:
“The team is doing well, we’ve trained well, and with a slightly longer week, we’ve worked even better. We’re ready to go!”
Regarding player availability, Tudor clarified:
“Gatti, based on what he’s done, can do at most what he did against Lazio. We’ll see about Lloyd Kelly.”
Overcoming Challenges
Reflecting on his tenure, Tudor emphasized the difficulties he inherited and the progress made:
“For me, it was a good job given all the problems we had. If a team is missing Gatti, Koopmeiners, Yildiz, Cambiaso, Kelly, and plays two full matches with a man down, these are not trivial things. We achieved three good wins against direct rivals away from home. Against Parma, we didn’t deserve to lose. The team gave everything it could in that moment. When I arrived, the team was in the deepest hole. Now, they are more aware, more combative, and we’ve shown some good football. I’d love to play champagne football, but right now it’s not possible. You have to know what to do in the moment, and I compliment the players for giving everything.”
Mental Approach and Player Focus
Tudor highlighted the mental work required to keep the team focused:
“There are no easy games in my view. The coach is always a psychologist, both individually and with the team. You have to know how to approach each player and each match differently. If you have Chiellini, Buffon, Bonucci, you speak one way; with a different squad, you speak another way.”
He also praised Dusan Vlahovic’s return:
“It’s always a great opportunity for everyone. He’s an important player who had some problems, but now he’s back and will help us a lot until the end.”
On Yildiz, Tudor added:
“He’s suffered a lot, he’s a fundamental player in the squad. I told him not to feel the responsibility to make up for anything-just to stay in the game and do what he knows how to do.”
Reflecting on Expectations and the Future
Tudor was clear about the expectations at Juventus:
“We always have to be demanding and try to win, but the team gave everything it could. It’s right to say things from my point of view. I don’t want to apologize, but it’s fair to say it. This team, when complete, is strong and can fight with everyone-even this season.”
Addressing speculation about his future and the shadow of Antonio Conte, Tudor was resolute:
“I live from day to day, I enjoy everything, and I suffer. I want to feel the trust of the players and I feed on this. That’s the beauty of it. Do I feel inferior to anyone? No, I don’t feel inferior to anyone.”
He also touched on the importance of playing with freedom:
“Having your destiny in your own hands gives you something, but you also have to do things without overthinking. I tell the guys to go out and play as they like, to find enjoyment even in suffering.”
Looking Ahead
With two games left in the season and a Champions League spot on the line, Tudor remains focused on the present:
“We’ll see, maybe one or two from Next Gen will get a chance,” he said, hinting at opportunities for younger players.
