Tudor: ‘Juventus battle, the way I like it, but Yildiz a rare talent’ | OneFootball

Igor Tudor insists the 2-0 victory over Monza was ‘grabbed with our fingernails, that’s how I like it’ for Juventus, but Kenan Yildiz will be a huge loss in showdowns for fourth place.

The Bianconeri were in dire need of a boost after the midweek 1-0 defeat to Parma, so had started strong today against rock bottom Monza when taking a 2-0 lead through Nico Gonzalez and Randal Kolo Muani goals.

However, they were forced to play the entire second half down to 10 men, as Kenan Yildiz got himself sent off for a moment of madness, lashing out an elbow in the face of Alessandro Bianco.

They held on under siege, though Michele Di Gregorio had few real saves to make in the end.

Tudor enjoys grittier Juventus down to 10 men

TURIN, ITALY – APRIL 27: Igor Tudor, Head Coach of Juventus, disputes referee, Daniele Perenzonis decision to give Kenan Yildiz a red card during the Serie A match between Juventus and Monza at Allianz Stadium on April 27, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

“We had a very good first half, could’ve had another goal with two good chances, then that incident changed the game. The second half was a battle, a match we had to grab with our fingernails. It’s how I like it, with suffering and hard work, we also had a chance with Nico for 3-0,” Tudor told Sky Sport Italia.

“It’s good, a victory like this helps the lads to grow, makes them realise that even in suffering they can fight and win. In that sense, I liked it a lot.

“In football there are tactics, but ultimately you win if you win the duels, have determination and fight. This is what we are trying to drill into the players every day.”

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Juventus 2-0 Monza

That lack of determination and grit, the so-called Juventus DNA, has been a constant criticism of the squad so far this season, under Tudor and before him Thiago Motta.

“We try not to give excuses to a side that in terms of mentality still has to grow. For a more experienced side, playing a few days after a defeat doesn’t weigh on them, but it does for other teams. I watched the Parma game over again and we allowed them very little, we pushed hard in the second half, but were lacking something in the final third,” continued Tudor.

“Every match is difficult, Parma were unbeaten in five, so it might be even tougher than facing Inter right now. Timing means a lot in the fixture list, but you also need the team to grow in every respect.

“I am sad that Kenan Yildiz will be out, we lost Gatti to injury before I arrived, while Koopmeiners is struggling with this tendon pain. There are still a few games to go and anything can happen.”

The Kenan Yildiz red card can have further repercussions, as because it was a straight red via VAR review for violent conduct, he is likely to receive a two-match ban.

That would rule the Turkish talent out of the showdowns with Bologna and Lazio, who are direct competitors for a top four finish.

“Kenan is world class, only those with real talent can play in those roles and they are rare. We will try to find something, we cannot wait for these games, as they are head-to-head clashes, an opportunity to prove who we are. That is how we should go into these matches,” assured Tudor.

“We will find 11 strong players to start, that’s the important thing.”