Juventus on Track to Secure Top-Four Finish, Says Tudor
Juventus coach Igor Tudor is confident that his team will qualify for the Champions League as they prepare to visit Lazio in Serie A on Saturday, amid an incredibly tight top-four race. This comes after the team missed a chance to strengthen their grip on fourth place following a 1-1 draw at Bologna on Sunday. According to reports from the Times of Malta, Juventus currently sit level on 63 points with fifth-placed AS Roma and Lazio in sixth, with three games remaining.
The Croatian coach expressed his confidence in his team’s ability to secure a top-four finish, stating that he believes they will play in Europe’s elite club competition next season. “Yes, I am convinced (of that), but everyone is convinced,” Tudor told a press conference on Friday, as reported by the Times of Malta. “All the teams think they are strong. Then there is the pitch. Sometimes words are smoke. You have to prepare well.”
Despite recent form being inconsistent, with three losses and two draws in their last eight games, Tudor remains optimistic about his team’s chances. “I saw awareness and confidence (this week), and a great desire to do well,” he said. “We know the importance of this match (Lazio) and we prepared ourselves as best we could.” The team will be boosted by the return of striker Dusan Vlahovic, their top scorer this season with nine league goals, who returned to group training on Thursday after being sidelined with a thigh injury since late April.
“Dusan is fine. He was all week with us,” Tudor confirmed. However, he also revealed that Federico Gatti and Teun Koopmeiners would not be available for the match, although Gatti played a little bit with the team and will be on the bench. The former defender, who briefly coached Lazio last year after Maurizio Sarri’s resignation and left them seventh in the standings, was optimistic about facing his former side.
“Last year we did a great job and went to the Europa League,” Tudor recalled in an interview with the Times of Malta. “Then I made a calm decision (to leave) and I (still) love everyone. Tomorrow will be a different match than Bologna, but they have other qualities. Lazio is an experienced team with strong players. We have to be careful … but we have to focus on ourselves.”
As the Serie A season nears its conclusion, Juventus will be looking to secure a top-four finish and qualify for the Champions League. With a tight top-four race, Tudor’s side will need to be at their best to secure a spot in Europe’s elite club competition. According to the Times of Malta, Tudor’s confidence in his team’s ability to secure a top-four finish will be put to the test as they face Lazio on Saturday.
In related news, Serie A fans will be eagerly anticipating the outcome of the match between Juventus and Lazio, as the two teams battle for a spot in the Champions League. With three games remaining, the top-four race is heating up, and the Times of Malta will be providing comprehensive coverage of all the action.
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