Juventus 1-0 Genoa: Old Lady edge visitors as Igor Tudor starts tenure with crucial Serie A win
Igor Tudor's reign at Juventus began on a positive note as his side secured a 1-0 home victory over Genoa in their Serie A clash on Saturday, with Kenan Yildiz netting the decisive goal.
The win keeps Juventus in fifth place with 55 points, just one behind fourth-placed Bologna, who also won earlier in the day with a 1-0 result against Venezia. Meanwhile, Genoa remain 12th with 35 points.
Tudor, appointed last Sunday to replace Thiago Motta, returns to the club where he spent much of his playing career and later served as Andrea Pirlo’s assistant. His immediate mission is to guide Juventus back into the Champions League next season. Motta was dismissed following back-to-back heavy defeats—4-0 at home to Atalanta and 3-0 against Fiorentina—compounding Juve’s exits from both the Champions League and Coppa Italia.
The Croatian coach wasted no time implementing changes, opting for a three-man defense and dropping Randal Kolo Muani in favor of Dusan Vlahovic, who had seen limited minutes in recent matches.
"We have to start strong and do well, get a result. We have to win," Tudor told DAZN before kickoff.
Juventus initially pushed forward but Genoa threatened early, with Morten Frendrup forcing a scrambling save from Michele Di Gregorio and later sending a weak effort off target. After Teun Koopmeiners squandered a promising Juve attack, the hosts broke the deadlock in the 25th minute through a moment of brilliance from Yildiz.
The 19-year-old forward picked up the ball well outside the area, drove into the box, beat a defender, and rifled a shot past Nicola Leali from a tight angle.
Chances were scarce for the remainder of the first half, though Genoa nearly equalized shortly after the restart when Andrea Pinamonti volleyed just wide. Juventus had a late opportunity to seal the win, but Timothy Weah’s stoppage-time effort was easily saved by Leali.
Despite an unconvincing display, Juventus claimed a much-needed victory as Tudor began his tenure with three crucial points in the race for a top-four finish.
SportsLigue