Juventus heading in the 'right direction' says Tudor ahead of Wydad test
Juventus opened their Club World Cup campaign with a 5-0 win over Al Ain, and face Wydad AC in their next fixture in Group G.
Juventus head coach Igor Tudor believes his team are heading in the "right direction" under his stewardship as they prepare for their second game at the Club World Cup.
Tudor watched on as Juventus opened their campaign with a 5-0 thrashing of Al Ain, with Randal Kolo Muani and Francisco Conceicao both scoring twice at Audi Field.
Indeed, Juventus won by at least five goals in an international competition for the first time since December 10, 2003, against Olympiakos (7-0 in that case).
It was also the largest margin of victory in a team's first-ever Club World Cup match, surpassing 4-0 wins by Barcelona in 2006 and Paris Saint-Germain earlier in the tournament.
They also scored four goals in the first half of a game for the first time since February 2018 against Sassuolo, and will be looking to consolidate their spot at the top of Group G.
Tudor's team take on Wydad AC in their next group game at the Club World Cup, with the Moroccan side beaten 2-0 by Pep Guardiola's Manchester City in their opener.
The 47-year-old has had a mixed start to life as Juventus' boss, but was able to guide the club to a fourth-placed finish in Serie A, securing Champions League football next season.
And as they continue to understand his tactical approach to the game, Tudor believes his players will only improve as they progress together.
"I felt like the team really cared about this match; they were really motivated. They were on their mettle. They have that desire," Tudor said.
"There was lovely energy between the players, that desire to work hard for one another, to run for one another.
"I felt that really came through, and I think the players felt that among themselves, too.
"We are going in the right direction. There's always things you need to improve upon... a team is a living being, it's never the same from one day to the next."
European teams have won all three of their previous matches against Moroccan opposition at the FIFA Club World Cup (including previous formats).
Raja Casablanca lost to Real Madrid in 2000 and Bayern Munich in 2013 before Wydad lost to Man City on Wednesday.
And Juventus will be confident of extending that record, though Wydad attempted 12 shots against City despite recording only 287 passes over the course of the match.
Their 23.9 passes per shot was the second-lowest ratio on matchday one of the Club World Cup (Palmeiras – 23.4).
