Tudor: Juventus in a ‘deep hole’ when I arrived, I’m not ‘inferior to anybody’ | OneFootball

Juventus coach Igor Tudor insists he’s ‘not inferior to anybody’ and notes that the team was in a ‘deep hole’ when he was appointed in March.

Juventus host Udinese in the last home game of the season on Sunday.

Tudor previewed the game at a pre-match press conference, but most of the questions were about the team’s previous performances and his future at the club.

“The team has trained well, it’s been a slightly longer week, and we’ve worked well,” Tudor said via Ilbianconero.

Tudor will be short of options in defence and midfield due to injuries and suspensions, and Federico Gatti is far from being fit for a big part of the game.

“For what he’s done, the best Gatti can do is the same as in the last game,” Tudor said.

Gatti has just recovered from a calf bone fracture and was introduced only for the final five minutes in the previous game against Lazio.

Juventus are level on 64 points with the Biancocelesti in fourth position, but they have a better head-to-head record, so if they win the remaining two matches, they’ll qualify for the Champions League.

“I think we’ve done a good job despite all the problems,” Tudor insisted.

Tudor: Juventus in a ‘deep hole’ when I arrived

BOLOGNA, ITALY – MAY 04: Igor Tudor, Head Coach of Juventus, looks on prior to the Serie A match between Bologna and Juventus at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on May 04, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“When you don’t have Gatti, Koopmeiners, Yildiz, Cambiaso, Kelly, and a team that plays down to one man for two games, it isn’t easy.

“We must always be exigent and know that Juventus must win. I am the first one to be sorry, but I feel that the team has done all it could, given the circumstances. The team was in a deep hole when I arrived. Now, they are more aware, and they fight more, also with the playing time we’ve had. You need to understand the moment, and I congratulate the lads who have given their all.

“We’ve won three games at home, but there are no easy matches, in my opinion. A coach is also a psychologist, individually and as a team,” Tudor continued.

“A coach must have different approaches and know what to talk about and to whom. If you have Buffon, Chiellini and Bonucci, you speak in one way; when you have a different team, you talk differently.”

Kenan Yildiz will return to action on Sunday after serving a two-game ban for violent conduct.

“He has suffered a lot. He is a fundamental player in the team,” said Tudor.

“I told him not to feel the responsibility of making up for anything. He has to move forward, stay focused on the game and do what he has to do. He knows what to do.”

Tudor will remain in charge until the Club World Cup, but it’s not guaranteed that he’ll be offered a contract extension. According to several media outlets, Antonio Conte is Juventus’ primary coaching option for 2025-26.

“I live day by day, but I don’t think about the future,” insisted Tudor.

“If you ask me whether I feel inferior to anybody, I say no to no one.”