After three months lightning on the Lazio bench (March-June 2024), Igor Tudor found work. Called by Juventus to put an end to the Calvary of Thiago Motta, the 46-year-old Croatian immediately accepted the challenge, him the former Bianconero (1998-2007). While waiting to see on the field what will his Juventus look like, the former coach of Olympique de Marseille was officially presented this afternoon to the press. The opportunity for him to display a certain emotion at the time of returning to the Piedmont. “I will do everything my best so that I do not disappoint anyone, trying to do a good job on the contrary. The emotions are clearly there, Juve is a club that everyone would like to train, but above all there is the desire to work and do well, to achieve the goal we all know. I really believe in this team, there are strong players. There has been a short time to work, but there are no excuses. I have never done this in my life. »»
Very quickly, the media went to the essentials by questioning Tudor on hot subjects that have often undermined Juventus news in recent weeks. After confirming the maintenance of the captain's armband in Locatelli, the Croatian spoke of competition between Dusan Vlahovic and Randal Kolo Muani. Will he play both together? “He is a very strong player (Vlahovic, Editor's note). I am happy to train him, I have already made statements about it in the past. He has the qualities that a first class player must have, he can score goals, he is fast, strong, intelligent, it is a flirt. He comes back from a moment like this, we know, we talked about it and we started working. He wants to leave and that's a good thing. There is him, Kolo Muani, they can also play together, we can do everything. I'm happy, I found the team strong and young, it's stimulating. When there is youth, it is a beautiful thing. (…) Kolo Muani is strong, we met yesterday and I am happy to have it. »»
Tudor wants to restore pep to Juve
Another hot file: the use of one of the flagship recruits of the Turin season: the Batavian midfielder Teun Koopmeiners (27 years old), torn from Atalanta in exchange for € 52 million. “I cannot compare my Juve with that of others. I do things in my sauce, I try in training and the Saturday match must be the consequence of this work. So far, there has been a short time, we will see little, but the state of mind should not be lacking. Good things will take two or three weeks to set up. Koop, you all know that he comes out of great years, he is a strong player with desire. My job is to ensure that he gives the best of himself and I am sure he will do it. »» We will not know more. On the other hand, Tudor confirmed his reputation as a hard coach to evil. It will work hard at the Continassa. “I believe it a lot. You have to work on everything, be lightness, but also mental wickedness, motivation. From a tactical point of view, you must also make the right choices. We must be strong, aware of what we represent. (…) There is a desire to start again, but you must then put your helmet and pedal. Put good wickedness, but without anxiety and without pressure. »»
Finally, for those who wanted to know more about the tactical aspirations of the Croatian, the latter gave them some elements, but avoiding explaining his game plan. “During my career, I played with defenses at 3 and 4, with pressures in zone and man to man. You have to find the right configuration for the players we have, but the difference is the spirit, the sacrifice, the style of play. It is the work of the coach to transmit these things. (…) The set kicks are such an important aspect, they also move the ranking. This is an element that becomes more and more important in today's football, “he said, before responding to those who wonder if his Juve will be more offensive than that of Motta. “I always say that nothing should be given up. I want people to have fun, otherwise football takes a less interesting direction. My opinion is that it is necessary to score one more goal, I like to attack a lot, but also not to collect goals. If I attack, I have to work on the covers, the work must also be complete in the management of players and changes ”. A beautiful speech on paper. Now let's see what it will give on the field. First meeting of the Juve Tudor version: next Saturday at 6 p.m. against Genoa.
