Tudor: Juventus ‘on the right path’ despite 1-0 loss to Real Madrid
Igor Tudor is not overly concerned about Juventus' form, despite a 1-0 loss to Real Madrid leaving them winless in seven matches.
Igor Tudor believes Juventus are “on the right path” despite their 1-0 loss to Real Madrid, claiming the Bianconeri deserved to get something from Wednesday's game.
The Bianconeri entered the Champions League clash in poor form, having gone six games without a win — five draws and a loss, with their previous outing in Serie A against Como ending in a 2-0 defeat.
Juventus created several opportunities at the Santiago Bernabeu through Dusan Vlahovic and Lois Openda, but they failed to convert them, while Jude Bellingham netted the winner after pouncing on Vinicius Junior’s shot that struck the inside of the post in the 57th minute.
The defeat means Juventus have now failed to win any of their opening three games (D2 L1) in a single Champions League campaign for the fourth time, after 1998-99 (D3), 2012-13 (D3) and 2013-14 (D2 L1).
“The lads are disappointed, because they felt that they deserved at least a goal. There are regrets, but we are on the right path,” Tudor told Sky Sport Italia and Amazon Prime Video Italia.
“I liked the initial attitude and character, then naturally, Real Madrid will always put you under pressure, but we did what we had prepared.
“We only conceded with that incredible individual quality of Vinicius between three, and then off the upright.
“There was a little respect and fear of giving away a penalty, so nobody made the challenge. After all, if nobody made a mistake in football, there would never be any goals.”
The Italian side did little to threaten Los Blancos, posting an expected goals (xG) figure of just 0.59 to Madrid's 2.69.
“Everyone has to be a leader in this team, and in that sense I think we are a little below what I’d like to see. Many new players arrived and we lost some of the champions with experience.
“We have some strengths and weaknesses, but have to put faith in this team, as we are on the right track. Comparisons with the past do not help, but we have to accept them.”
Juve return to action on Sunday when they travel to Rome to take on Lazio at Stadio Olimpico in Serie A.
