Igor Tudor shared his thoughts after Juventus secured a hard-fought 1-0 win against Genoa in his debut as head coach. Speaking to DAZN, Tudor expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance while acknowledging areas for improvement as the squad adapts to his tactical changes.
On the Team’s Performance
“Very satisfied because Genoa is a serious team; they run and fight,” Tudor said. “We’ve come from a tough moment, and we’ve only had 2-3 training sessions together. Of course, there was some enthusiasm, but in just a few days, you also need to work through things psychologically. Everything is different now—system and style. We’re playing a bit more vertically, which requires adaptation and another level of intensity.”
Despite the challenges, Tudor praised his players’ commitment. “The boys gave everything. I’m happy. We did many things well, others not so much, but it was a fully deserved win. I’m also happy for the fans. We played with heart and gave everything. Now we’ll rest for a day and then start working seriously with a full week ahead.”
On Individual Performances
Tudor highlighted several standout performances from his players. “Locatelli has that quality, and I’m very happy for Kenan [Yildiz]; he gave everything and has important skills. Vlahovic also impressed me. Defensively, we were solid, and the midfield worked hard. I think we could’ve scored two more goals, but 1-0 is fine—sometimes it’s even better mentally when the match ends.”
On Koopmeiners’ Form
Addressing Teun Koopmeiners’ recent struggles, Tudor was candid but optimistic. “It’s true; this isn’t a great moment for him—that’s obvious. But let’s not forget what he’s shown over the years; he’s a strong player. You get through moments like this by working—physically, mentally, in every way. He’s a good guy who cares deeply and is an important part of this team. He needs to be recovered, and we’ll work on it.”
On Yildiz’s Goal
When asked if the decisive goal from Kenan Yildiz was rehearsed, Tudor laughed and admitted, “Prepared? No, it just happened that way.”
