Tudor believes Juve can fight for title as Inter looms
Igor Tudor reaffirmed his belief that Juventus can challenge for the Serie A title, but said its Scudetto hopes will be put to the test by Inter Milan this weekend.
Juventus welcomes Cristian Chivu's side to Allianz Stadium on Sunday (AEST), hoping to maintain its perfect start to the Serie A season after winning both of its opening fixtures.
Tudor was announced as Thiago Motta's successor in March, becoming the first foreign manager to be appointed by the Bianconeri since Didier Deschamps in 2006-2007.
The 47-year-old guided Juventus to a top-four finish in 2024-2025 and a spot in the UEFA Champions League, and now he is eyeing a shot at the Scudetto in his first full season in charge.
Juventus has not won the Serie A title since 2019-2020 under Maurizio Sarri, with its highest finish in the division since being third, which it managed in 2023-2024.
"Obviously, this team can fight to win the Scudetto," Tudor said.
"At the start of the season, in a couple of meetings, I talked about the possibility of winning the league and our objectives, but then I closed the door and won't talk about it again.
"I only talk about concrete things; you have to achieve results, not talk about them."
Inter and Chivu, meanwhile, will be looking for a response after falling to a shock 2-1 defeat to Udinese before the international break.
The Nerazzurri have taken three points from their two games, suffering their earliest defeat in a Serie A season since 2018-2019, when they lost to Sassuolo on the opening day.
Inter and Juventus will face each other in the first three matchdays of Serie A for the third time in their histories, although Chivu was not putting too much pressure on his players.
Chivu has already faced Tudor, beating his Juventus team 1-0 with Parma, but the Inter boss suggested that its latest meeting will be a completely different proposition.
"Tudor has done a great job at Juventus. They have an identity and had a good transfer window. They have recovered Bremer in defence. He gives them a lot," Chivu said.
"We can't compare that match from four months ago. It's another team. Both Inter and Juventus are different. We have high expectations, but we shouldn't have extra pressure.
"We need mental clarity. I rely on the pride of my champions and my players. Pride is worth more than all the tactics.
"It's only the third round. We shouldn't overburden it too much. Everyone knows what the Derby d'Italia represents. We need to have the right energy to read the match."
