Alessandro Del Piero looks on during a press conference at the Centro Tecnico Federatione di Coverciano on June 3, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
Alessandro Del Piero is not completely convinced by Igor Tudor’s comments before the match against Real Madrid. “Juventus need to be organized, have tactical ideas and attack power.”
Kick-off will take place at the Estadio Bernabéu at 20:00 UK time (19:00 GMT).
You can follow all the build-up and action from this match and Atalanta vs. Slavia Prague on our live blog.
The mood in the Bianconeri camp has been negative following a month without a win in all competitions, including a five-game stalemate and a 2-0 defeat at Como.
In comments on Sky Sports Italia, Tudor insisted tactics were “not really important”, as was the starting XI, preferring to focus on mentality and the will to win.
Del Piero hits back at Tudor’s advice to Juventus
This was not what Juve icon Del Piero had in mind when he stood on the Estadio Bernabéu lawn.
“I don’t know if it’s right to say that we only need the heart and the mentality. When we play against Real Madrid in this stadium, it’s a game of preparation, so there’s no need to motivate the team for that,” Del Piero told Sky Sports Italia, where he is a commentator.
“You need to be organized, have tactical ideas and keep everything to the maximum, including fire. Sometimes this Juventus lacks that fire. You need the desire to do more and it’s not just about the players. You can study your opponents and your team in preseason, but you need that too.”
There are reports that Tudor may soon be sacked, following in the footsteps of his predecessor Thiago Motta.
“The situation we are looking at is very similar to last season, so I am worried that we will see a repeat of this in terms of performances. Como are a quality team and deserve credit, but Juventus should have had a different attitude in that game. I think they should also look at the tactics, the physicality and this passion that the players need every time they put on that shirt. In my view, Juventus need players who all think like this.”
Del Piero was asked by Fabio Capello if he thought this Juventus team had the quality needed to surprise Real Madrid, but his answer was not as promising.
“Real Madrid only need 10 to 15 minutes to win a match in this stadium with so much talent at their disposal. Juventus need to play their best for 90 minutes to get through this game in a good way, not just to win or draw, but to show what they’re capable of. Playing like that will give them the push they need to believe they can get a result against anyone.”
“Juventus have used nights like this in the past to boost themselves going forward and I hope they will do so again, but to be honest, I’m not in the mood right now.”
Kenan Yildiz is here wearing the captain’s armband, following in the footsteps of his hero Del Piero and wearing the number 10 jersey.
“I want to say to him that he is here with that armband on because he deserves it. He can do great things with this team, so he should play as we know. He has a share of the responsibility. He doesn’t need to carry more responsibility on his shoulders, because for a player who puts everything into creativity and imagination, it becomes a burden. Because that’s how he can hurt Real Madrid.”
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