Juventus coach Igor Tudor is confident his side can balance Champions League commitments with Serie A duties this season, after learning their group-stage opponents: Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Benfica.
The club’s recent history under Thiago Motta provides a learning backdrop. Motta steered Juventus through a long Serie A unbeaten run last season, with 21 league matches without defeat, though 13 of those results were draws, and the team made it to the knockout rounds in Europe. Following a run of defeats to Atalanta and Fiorentina and a disappointing exit from Europe at the hands of PSV, Motta was dismissed in March. Tudor then took charge, reviving Juventus’ season and guiding them to a top-four finish in Serie A and qualification for the 2025-26 Champions League.
Tudor has not shied away from the scale of the task ahead. “Champions League matches will be tough, but exciting and stimulating,” he said. “When you hear that music, everything changes. In recent months we’ve earned this opportunity to compete in such an incredible competition. I believe the team is mentally prepared to cope with a packed calendar. They did it last year, and they’ll manage the league and the Champions League in the weeks ahead.” Beyond the European buzz, Tudor has his focus fixed on this weekend’s league test away at Genoa.
Juventus opened the season on a high note, defeating Parma 2-0 thanks to goals from Jonathan David and Dusan Vlahovic, with Andrea Cambiaso sent off late on. The win extended a hot run of form at home in the league, where Juventus had won five consecutive Serie A games at home for the first time since late 2023.
Tudor described the mood in the squad as positive, even as he anticipates a stern test in Genoa. “The vibes after Parma are positive. I’ve seen a side that was focused and switched on,” he said. “I’m happy with the squad at my disposal. Maintaining continuity in this group is a valuable asset often underestimated. The team is a living organism that adapts to what we do on the pitch. We’re developing a clear identity and a strong mentality. I’m never satisfied, and my training approach remains consistent—focused and demanding, sometimes intensified after wins.”
Players to watch
Genoa – Aaron Martin: The Spaniard has become a catalyst for Genoa’s creative boost after their goalless draw with Lecce to open the Serie A campaign. He led the league in 2025 for assists (seven) and also created the most set-piece chances (22) in that period.
Juventus – Jonathan David: The Canadian forward announced himself to Juve fans with a goal on his Serie A debut against Parma, and he’ll be aiming to keep the early momentum rolling in Genoa. If David scores again, he would become only the third Juve player to net in his first two Serie A appearances for the club since 1994-95, joining Carlos Tevez and Randal Kolo Muani.
Prediction and form
Opta’s odds tilt Juventus as favorites for the Genoa test, with Genoa at 23.6% to win, a draw at 26.8%, and Juventus at 49.5%.
Juventus arrive in Genoa with a strong head-to-head profile in this fixture, having notched results in nine of their last ten league meetings (7 wins, 2 draws) and winning both encounters last season. The most recent clash away from home was a narrow 1-0 win in February 2025, continuing a streak where Juventus have sometimes kept Genoa at bay on the road. The Genoa outfit, meanwhile, have shown they can be stubborn: drawing both of their opening two league matches this season would be a historic repeat if achieved, a feat they previously pulled off in 1992-93 and 1962-63.
Under Tudor, Juventus have looked robust. They avoided defeat in nine of their first ten Serie A games in charge (six wins, three draws) and have won three in a row, with their only league loss during his tenure coming against Parma in April. Defensively, they’ve also shown resilience; they’ve kept clean sheets in two of their first two league trips of the season, a benchmark they haven’t matched since the mid-2000s.
Why this matters for Juventus fans
– Tudor’s message of balance and mental readiness speaks to a squad designed to compete on multiple fronts without sacrificing domestic form.
– The group-stage draw provides a marquee test, pitting Juventus against European heavyweights and offering early clues about the team’s ability to adapt to big occasions.
– Jonathian David’s early form alongside Vlahovic gives Juventus a dynamic forward line capable of punishing top-tier defenses, while the evolving defensive structure under Tudor aims to sustain results across both league and continent.
Summary
Juventus head coach Igor Tudor is optimistic about his side’s capacity to juggle Champions League duties with Serie A pressure this season, especially after a strong start to the campaign and a revival of the club’s fortunes under his leadership. With a challenging group including Real Madrid, Dortmund and Benfica, and a Genoa side eager to make a statement, Juventus will rely on a balanced approach, leadership in attack from David and a retooled defense to keep pushing for success on multiple fronts.
Additional notes for readers
– Watch for how Tudor manages squad rotation as Juventus navigate both a demanding European schedule and sustained Serie A competition.
– Keep an eye on Jonathan David’s continued adaptation to Italian football and his partnership with Vlahovic in attack.
– Genoa’s resilience and setup could test Juventus’ defensive organization in away games, making the early fixtures a potential indicator of the season’s trajectory.