Igor Tudor remains unconcerned about the possibility of losing his job as head coach of Juventus, expressing confidence in his ability to turn the team’s fortunes around in their upcoming Serie A clash against Lazio. Juventus, struggling to find their rhythm, has not secured a win since September when they triumphed over Inter with a thrilling 4-3 victory. Since then, they have gone seven matches without a win, facing two consecutive defeats.
In their latest outing, Juventus suffered a disappointing 2-0 loss to Como in Serie A, followed by a narrow 1-0 defeat against Real Madrid in the Champions League, which has intensified the pressure on Tudor. Currently, the team finds itself seventh in the league standings, though they remain just five points off the top position held by AC Milan. Embracing the challenge, Tudor stated, “Honestly, I do not fear [being sacked] at all. I enjoy even in difficult times. I am aware of what surrounds me. Everything is clear to me.”
Tudor emphasized his focus on motivating his players and finding effective strategies, rather than dwelling on his position. “The feeling after Madrid is positive, despite the defeat. The team is there, and there is a willingness to give everything we have to try to win matches. On Sunday, we face a high-level team, so we need to be ready.”
On the other side, Lazio currently sits in 12th place but is unbeaten in their last three matches, recording one win and two draws since their loss in the Roman derby against Roma. Coach Maurizio Sarri is eager to avoid leading his team to three consecutive draws in Serie A for the first time since March 2015. “I expect a difficult match as we face a team that recently drew with Real Madrid and has suffered only one narrow defeat,” he stated, acknowledging the need for unity during challenging moments.
Key players to watch include Mattia Zaccagni for Lazio, who has been pivotal in their success, leading the team to victory in every Serie A match he has scored in over the last two seasons. Meanwhile, Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus has demonstrated his prowess against Lazio, netting seven goals in all competitions since arriving in Italy.
The match promises to be a significant test for both teams, with Juventus looking to overcome recent setbacks. Historical records show that Lazio has remained unbeaten in five of their last six home games against Juventus, adding an extra layer of challenge for the visitors.
As the two teams prepare to battle it out, the odds favor Juventus slightly at 40.5%, with Lazio at 31.5% and a draw at 28%. With the stakes high, both clubs aim to capitalize on their respective strengths as they seek to secure vital points in the league.