Juventus arrive in Madrid winless in the Champions League, drawing their first two amidst questions about Igor Tudor’s future at the club. Pressure rising and performance declining both domestically and in Europe.
Immediately, due to my Italian upbringing, this felt more intimate, no need for translation. I could truly understand the tone of the questions and the intent behind each.
Then Igor Tudor walked in, alongside Khéphren Thuram, and the room settled into something serious.
The Questions That Mattered
The opening question set the tone immediately:
Juventus have been described as “wounded” and “angry” after recent results and criticism — what kind of reaction do you expect from your team?
Tudor’s reply lacked a tone of confidence despite his words.
He expects a reaction. Real Madrid away doesn’t need added stakes; the players know what they are against and the pressure that continues to mount
He reframed the question into pitch performance, as opposed to pitch confidence
The next question mirrored one asked to Xabi Alonso in the press conference against Getafe — about league matches being played abroad and whether it “distorts the competition.”
Do you agree that taking domestic matches abroad damages the integrity of the competition?
His answer:
It’s not his decision. Others decide where matches are played. He can have an opinion, but ultimately, it’s not his place.
The question, in fact, didn’t apply to the Italian club, therefore Tudor had no reason to agree or disagree, simply sidestepping the line of questioning.
Then the questions grew more personal.
Are you frustrated with the results and with the criticism you’ve been receiving in the media?
Tudor’s response:
He doesn’t read the press. Not when he wins, not when he loses.
His focus is internal:
- improving the team
- helping players
- analysing performances
He said he enjoys the difficulty.
To me, the response didn’t feel entirely genuine; it felt more like he was convincing himself of these notions, rather than affirming his genuine position.
A question about his past followed, referencing his history with Juventus and what it means to return to a stadium like this.
Do you approach this match with pride, pressure, or a sense that it comes at the wrong time?
This is where Tudor revealed his true feelings.
He spoke about:
- the brutal schedule
- the level of opposition (Inter, Milan, Atalanta, Dortmund, Madrid)
- and the gap between performance and results
His key ideas:
Juventus have performed better than the results suggest
But he understands the frustration, fans expect wins