Igor Tudor, head coach of Juventus, expressed regret over a dramatic 1-1 draw against Lazio, citing a challenging moment in their pursuit of a top-four finish in Serie A. The match, played at the Olimpico stadium, saw Juventus take the lead with a header from Randal Kolo Muani, but the game’s momentum shifted dramatically when Pierre Kalulu received a red card for an errant foul on Taty Castellanos just nine minutes later. This incident jeopardized Juventus’ chances, as they were forced to play with ten men for more than 30 minutes, ultimately conceding an equalizer in the dying moments of the match from Matias Vecino.
In his post-match comments, Tudor noted, “It was a great game, I am sorry that we dropped two points right at the end, but we keep going.” He praised his players for their relentless efforts under difficult circumstances, especially with several key players absent. The upcoming match against Udinese presents further challenges as they will be without Khephren Thuram, Nicoló Savona, and Kalulu, who all received suspensions.
Tudor also sparked discussion regarding his strategic substitutions during the match. He made the controversial decision to replace substitutes Francisco Conceicao and Vasilije Adzic with Dusan Vlahovic and Federico Gatti late in the game. While he acknowledged the oddity of the choice—especially since Adzic had been on the pitch for just nine minutes—Tudor emphasized the need for experience in the dying minutes of such an important match.
The coach elucidated on the difficulty of managing injuries and player fitness, noting the potential that Juventus holds with a healthy squad. He mused that “with two or three new players it could be a team of a very high level,” reinforcing his belief in the team’s quality. Juventus’ prior victory over Lazio earlier in the season gives them an edge in head-to-head encounters, but the ongoing congestion in the race for fourth place, with Roma gaining momentum, heightens the stakes for upcoming matches.
As the season approaches its final phase, Juventus remains a competitive force, and Tudor’s adaptability and foresight will be crucial as they navigate the challenges ahead.