Igor Tudor Prioritises Fitness Over Tactics in Juventus’ Quest for a Top-Four Finish

Juventus manager Igor Tudor is prioritising players’ form and flexibility over strict tactics as his team prepares for Monday’s away match against Parma, with hopes of securing a top-four finish in Serie A.

The Juve squad heads to 16th-placed Parma riding a wave of confidence after garnering seven points from their last three outings, currently sitting in fourth place with just six games remaining.

They hold a two-point cushion over fifth-placed Bologna, who will face league leaders Inter Milan on Sunday, and are three points ahead of Lazio in sixth, who travel to mid-table Genoa on Monday.

“We don’t have specific Plans A or B; our focus is on selecting those players in peak condition because Parma are performing well, having drawn with both Inter and Fiorentina,” Tudor explained to reporters on Saturday.

“We’ve been training together for two to three weeks now, and the team is showing improvement. We’ve ramped up our intensity to regain possession quickly. It’s important for us to be aggressive and cohesive, and that’s our goal.”

Tudor also mentioned some injury worries leading up to the match.

“We have encountered a few issues; (forward) Kenan Yildiz has had some problems and has participated partially in group training, so we’ll assess him tomorrow. (Midfielder) Teun Koopmeiners also trained a bit but is very doubtful for the match,” Tudor noted.

Despite the team’s recent strong performances that have secured a place in the Champions League, Tudor’s future remains uncertain due to his short-term contract; nonetheless, he seems unconcerned by the situation.

“When a coach takes over, they can be dismissed even with a five-year contract in place. Every manager lives day by day,” he said.

“You can’t plan too far ahead; you create the future today and learn from the past. Overthinking the future only leads to anxiety.

“You must prepare as best as you can and then go for it; that’s all that really matters. The rest is meaningless.”