Juventus coach Igor Tudor spoke ahead of their crucial Serie A match against Roma, explaining his choices and praising the remarkable achievements of Claudio Ranieri.
The match kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 19:45 UK time (18:45 GMT).
Tudor, who began his Juventus tenure with a 1-0 victory over Genoa, has faced challenges since taking over from Thiago Motta, including the injury of Federico Gatti, forcing him to adjust his three-man defense.
“Roma are in a good period of form, with a run of victories and strong players. Playing at home makes them even more difficult to face,” Tudor said ahead of the match. “However, we’ve worked well this week and we must prove ourselves tonight.”
The clash is vital in the race for European spots, with only three points separating Roma in seventh place and Juventus in fifth.
Tudor also spoke highly of Claudio Ranieri, who has led Roma to seven consecutive Serie A victories, a remarkable achievement. “Ranieri performed a miracle with Leicester in England, but that is just one of his many accomplishments,” said Tudor. “He has made history in football, and everyone speaks highly of him.”
Regarding his team selection, Tudor confirmed that Nico Gonzalez will play closer to center-forward Dusan Vlahovic, with Vlahovic chosen over Randal Kolo Muani once again. “I’ve been here for a week now, and I’ve chosen these players for today. Everyone is important, and sometimes those who come off the bench can be decisive,” he said.
Tudor also addressed the decision to pick Vlahovic for the second match in a row, explaining his approach to team selection. “You create a hierarchy based on form, training, and matches. I like both Vlahovic and Randal; they are both excellent strikers,” he said.
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