Igor Tudor Acknowledges Juventus is Making Strides Despite Draw Against Roma

Newly appointed Juventus manager Igor Tudor has expressed his confidence in his squad following their 1-1 draw against AS Roma in Serie A on Sunday, asserting that his team will only improve as they become more familiar with his tactics.

Juventus made a strong start to the match, with captain Manuel Locatelli giving them a 1-0 lead at half-time courtesy of a stunning strike from outside the area. However, Eldor Shomurodov equalised for the home side shortly after the interval.

“I was very pleased with the first half; we pressed well,” Tudor told DAZN following his second match in charge.

“They made some adjustments in the second half, but ultimately, we wanted the win more.

“Given the challenges the team has faced recently, both physically and mentally, we’re heading in the right direction. This draw boosts our confidence.”

Prior to Tudor’s arrival, Juventus had lost four out of their last six fixtures across all competitions, which included exits from the Champions League and Coppa Italia in late February.

Since Tudor took over from Thiago Motta during the most recent international break, there has been a noticeable improvement for the Turin club.

“That was a fantastic goal; the quality of our players ultimately made the difference,” Tudor remarked.

“We aimed to push many players forward while being mindful not to concede on the counter. The mentality we displayed was commendable.“

Tudor, a former centre-back who played for Juventus from 1998 to 2007, served as an assistant coach under Andrea Pirlo during the 2020-21 season.

“I’ve been here for 10 days now; the excitement tends to wear off after a bit, and the focus must shift to the task at hand,” Tudor shared.

“You become invested in every detail, leaving little time to revel in the experience. From the outside, it may seem like a dream job, but on the inside, it’s quite the opposite.“

The players seem to be enjoying their time under Tudor’s guidance.

“The coach immediately encouraged us to believe in ourselves upon his arrival,” Locatelli explained. “When we play matches like this, we can find fulfilment.“