Tudor: Juventus ‘have to play a good game against Dortmund, we’ll see about Yildiz’
Igor Tudor has made it clear that he needs a strong performance from his Juventus players in their first Champions League match of the season, which falls against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night, and says we will have to wait and see whether Kenan Yildiz starts against after his Derby d’Italia stunner against Inter over the weekend.
Juventus get their Champions League campaign underway on Tuesday night at home against Borussia Dortmund, kicking off at 20.000 BST.
“(They’re) a very strong team, not only in Germany, but also on a European level. We played them in a friendly, now it’s a totally different game. It’s nice, the first (Champions League) game at home and it’s a really high-level game and we can’t wait for it to start,” Tudor said of Tuesday night’s opposition during his pre-match press conference on Monday night.
Tudor: ‘Leave Yildiz to live his life’
Juventus are coming in off the back of a 4-3 victory over rivals Inter in the Derby d’Italia over the weekend. Tudor has admitted that Juventus did not play to the best of their abilities despite their victory.
Among the stars of Juve’s entertaining win over Inter was Kenan Yildiz, who found the back of the net from 25 yards out in the first half.
Journalists asked Tudor what he makes of the comparisons between the young Turkish talent and another Bianconeri no.10, Alessandro Del Piero.
Tudor, however, is not keen on the comparison: “You make the comparisons, but he doesn’t think about Del Piero at all. He plays football and you make these comparisons. You have to leave the boy to live his life and grow without talking about him every day. He’s doing well.
Asked if Yildiz is guaranteed to start after his Derby d’Italia brilliance, Tudor replied: “We’ll see.”
When asked how high he thinks this Juventus team can go, Tudor replied: “I never think about where we can go. We have to play a good game against Dortmund. We have to be quick and see where we can hurt them. This is a competition with top teams and difficult matches.”
Tudor was also asked how it feels knowing that he has the full support of his players behind him.
He replied: “It’s easier when you win. There’s a good relationship, but I also have choices to make and have to do things I don’t like. The job of a coach is difficult, but I’m lucky enough to have good guys who are ready to work.
“This team’s history has always been about having a hard-working, focused, serious team.”
And reflecting on the Derby d’Italia victory over Inter, Tudor added: “We played against the strongest team in Serie A with their squad, in my opinion, they’re also ahead of Napoli.
“We won despite not being at our top level, and while having some small problems. I like winning like this, too.”
Tudor was not willing to make the occasion about himself, despite the Dortmund match being his first as a coach in the Champions League.
“There’s nothing personal about it, it’s a new competition that all the players like is beginning. It’s a different tournament, it’s beautiful and fascinating. We prepare for it like any other. In my experience as a coach, players forget about tiredness in the Champions League. Everyone’s goal is to play. It’s a privilege.”
Tudor on Juventus injuries and current philosophy: ‘3-0 better’
The Juventus head coach was unable to give a proper injury update given the limited time to train in between the Inter and Dortmund matches.
“I don’t know because we haven’t trained. I have to talk to everyone, make evaluations and choices. We’ll see tomorrow morning.
“The game is always played differently, because the level is higher. The other leagues are more simple from a tactical point of view compared to Italy. These are different matches and different football. The choices are yet to be made, so I can’t say.”
Does Tudor prefer a 4-3 win or a 1-0?
“When I was coaching in Verona, I said I preferred a 4-3 to a 1-0. That was three years ago. My philosophy now is to win first and foremost, then, if we can score more goals, score them. I like attacking football, but it depends on the players’ characteristics. The goal is to win, then I aim for more goals. A 3-0 would be better.”
Tudor also gave his thoughts on the returning Andrea Cambiaso, who has missed the last two Serie A matches through suspension.
“He’s fine, he’s trained and he can’t wait to start. He trained well yesterday. He’s an important player for us, we missed him.
“We missed him because he’s a player who raises the level, he and (Francesco) Conceicao are the same. They are two players we missed against Inter and who raise our level quite a bit.”