On the eve of a crucial Serie A clash between Juventus and Lazio, coach Igor Tudor addressed the media, offering updates on his squad, his approach to the match, and his thoughts on the club’s present and future. With Champions League qualification on the line and both teams level on points, Tudor’s words set the tone for a high-stakes encounter in Rome.
“Vlahovic Is Fine, Gatti We’ll See”
Tudor provided a positive update on key striker Dusan Vlahovic, who has been sidelined with injury in recent weeks.
“Dusan is fine, he did the whole week with us,” Tudor confirmed. “The others will not be there, though, apart from Gatti, who trained with us for a small part and will be on the bench.”
This means Vlahovic is available for selection, while Federico Gatti, returning from a long absence, will be among the substitutes.
“We Saw Awareness and Confidence”
Reflecting on the team’s preparation, Tudor said, “I saw awareness and confidence, and a great desire to do well. We know the importance of this match and we prepared ourselves as best we could.”
He emphasized the need to maintain the positive mentality shown in recent matches: “Against Bologna our attitude was extremely positive and it must always be like that, regardless of the opponent. The objective is always to have that mentality, to push forward and be aggressive, and then defend together.”
“The Key Is Always in Ourselves”
Discussing the challenge of facing Lazio, Tudor remarked, “The key is always in ourselves. Lazio is a strong team, different from Bologna, with other qualities. They are experienced, with players who are in good shape and have built an identity. We need maximum attention to detail, but first of all we must focus on ourselves.”
“I Care About Douglas Luiz”
When asked about Douglas Luiz, Tudor was warm in his praise: “I have spoken about him many times, I don’t want to repeat myself. I care about him, he’s a strong player and I hope he can help us until the end.”
“I Won’t Talk About the Future”
Tudor was clear when questioned about his future at Juventus: “I won’t answer about the future. I could say something positive, but the future… we need to think only about the present, then we’ll see what the future brings.”
“I’m Never Satisfied-That’s the Key to Growth”
On his satisfaction with the team’s progress, Tudor was candid: “I’m never satisfied, because a coach has to be that way. There have been parts of matches at a high level, and generally I’m happy, the team is growing and giving everything. I see a lot of positivity, and that’s essential. If there is no demand for more, there is no growth. Never being satisfied is the key to growth.”
“We’re All Convinced, But the Pitch Decides”
Asked about Juventus’s chances of securing Champions League qualification, Tudor expressed confidence but stressed the importance of performance:
“Yes, I am convinced (of that), but everyone is convinced. All the teams think they are strong. Then there is the pitch. Sometimes words are smoke. You have to prepare well. That’s where conviction is built.”
“Every Match Is a Final”
Looking ahead to the remaining fixtures, Tudor concluded: “They are all finals, I’ve felt that from the start. This is an important match, but if you win and then lose the next two… Everyone is playing for something and wants to win. There are three games left, and this one is the most important because it comes first.”
