Exclusive Interview I Journalist Mirko Di Natale: “Sandro Tonali is the main target in midfield for Juventus” | OneFootball

Following the dismissal of coach Thiago Motta of his duties from Juventus after suffering two consecutive defeats  against Atalanta and Fiorentina respectively in a combined 7-0 aggregate across both league fixtures, causing the Old Lady to fall outside the top four.

As a result, desperate times called for desperate measures as Juventus turned their faith towards former Juventus player and former assistant coach Igor Tudor with a short-term contract of €500k to close out the remainder of the season, which includes a clause that his role could be prolonged automatically if he manages to help the Bianconeri salvage Champions League football within the upcoming season.

Within the caretaker’s first two matches at the helm of the club, the Croatian tactician managed to rein-store faith and send a statement that a top-four finish is indeed possible, stringing a victory over Fiorentina and an impressive 1-1 draw against a high-flying Roma whom have maintained a 15-game unbeaten streak within the Serie A since their 2-1 defeat to Cesc Fabregas’ Como on the 15th of December.

With plenty of talking points revolving the future of Juventus and what we can possibly expect within the remaining seven fixtures of the 2024/25 campaign, the Get Italian Football News team had TuttoJuve journalist Mirko Di Natale exclusively provide his insight.

Mirko was first asked about what he viewed to be key differences of Juventus’ philosophy under Igor Tudor in comparison to the performances under former Bologna boss Thiago Motta:

“There was a reaction. I would start from this. The change of coach usually always brings an immediate effect, but Juve in the last few weeks seemed empty and soulless. Then I can say that I saw more aggression in the defenders, more energy (see Nico Gonzalez) in the players and Yildiz more free from a tactical point of view. These are the bases from which to start again.”

In addition, Mirko was then asked whether he thought that the sacking of Thiago Motta was a little pre-mature, given that the Bianconeri were only a single point behind Bologna heading into the match against Genoa following the international break:

“Motta’s dismissal would have happened anyway at the end of the season, with or without fourth place. The last two games have only accelerated everything. What has not been forgiven him – beyond the results – was the poor management of the group and the inability to find an effective solution to resolve a more than obvious problem. Juve was a team without character, it took an electroshock to revive the whole environment”.

Furthermore, Mirko explained that the appointment of Tudor will most likely not change the Bianconeri’s stance on Dusan Vlahovic’s future, as his contract expires in the summer of 2026 and the Serbian is seemingly no longer the focal point of the Old Lady’s project:

“Despite being a fixed point for Tudor, Juventus is not changing its mind about Vlahovic. There are no imminent meetings for the renewal and the parties are increasingly distant. My feeling is that Dusan will leave this summer”

Moreover, Mirko was then asked about Juventus’ pursuit of a striker ahead of next season and which profiles are they monitoring very closely.  Canadian forward Jonathan David of Lille appears to be at the top of the list hence he is set to part ways with the French side at the end of the season as a free agent:

“Yes, Juve is also interested in Victor Osimhen, Mateo Retegui and Lorenzo Lucca is a profile that is always appreciated. The Jonathan David package costs 34 million, for me it is the most convenient to date. His characteristics are very important and useful for any coach, Tudor or another who will be”.

Finally, Mirko was asked about the Bianconeri’s rejuvenation of the midfield and if the potential return former Milan midfielder and Italian international Sandro Tonali is a key objective for the Old Lady:

‘Sandro Tonali is the main target today, more than Ederson and Florentino Luis. But if you ask me a midfielder who costs less than those just mentioned, I can answer Frendrup from Genoa. He is a good midfielder and Juve has been following him for some time now”.

Julian Faustini Ι GIFN