Juventus primed for Club World Cup challenge against Lorch and Mailula's Wydad
Juventus manager Igor Tudor played down suggestions that his team are showing signs of end-of-season fatigue, insisting his players are motivated and ready to compete as they prepare to face Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca in the Club World Cup on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.
The match kicks off at 6pm, South African time.
Juventus opened their campaign with an emphatic 5-0 victory over UAE's Al Ain, and a win against Wydad, who boast two South Africans Thembinkosi Lorch and Casius Mailula in their set-up, would secure their progression to the next stage.
Such a result would set up a highly anticipated Group G showdown with Manchester City on Thursday, likely to determine the group winners.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Tudor said he sees no signs of lethargy in his squad. 'I don't see any signs of fatigue in the team; on the contrary, I see a lot of enthusiasm,' he said.
'It's a pleasure to see them enjoying playing together. They started the last match like it was a final. There's more confidence in them now, not just a little but a lot more. They're enjoying what we're building together, and that's a fantastic thing.'
Lorch was unhappy at Sundowns: Cardoso as star is loaned to Wydad
'Lorch is not a young player. In the past year he has not played much so it was important to let him go'
Sport
4 months ago
Tudor, who took over in March after the dismissal of Thiago Motta, has overseen a remarkable turnaround at the Turin club.
Juventus were floundering outside the Serie A top four and had been eliminated from all cup competitions when Tudor arrived. However, under his guidance, the team suffered just one further league defeat, finishing fourth to secure Champions League qualification.
Reflecting on his tenure thus far, Tudor expressed pride in his players' professionalism and commitment.
'I have great professionals who've been available from the first day to the last,' he said. 'There's been a lot of work behind the scenes, but we've also developed a better understanding of the game and what I ask of them as a coach.'
Despite the strong start in the Club World Cup, Tudor urged his squad to remain focused. 'Juventus should be ambitious, but we must stay humble and work hard with our heads down,' he said.
'I always tell the players to focus on training and take each match as it comes. Maybe I bore them by saying it, but that's the mindset we need.'
Juventus' clash with Wydad Casablanca will be a key test of their progress under Tudor, with the Italian side looking to maintain momentum ahead of the knockout stages of the tournament.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
28 minutes ago
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs news: Edson Castillo and Fiacre Ntwari
Betway Premiership giants Kaizer Chiefs are linked to high-profile players around the African continent, but the Premier Soccer League will have the last say. The names include the sought-after Fiston Mayele, Feisal Salum, Maxi Nzengeli, and Jean Claude Ahoua. According to the Premier Soccer League rules, clubs can only register five foreign nationals. What is the current situation in the Kaizer Chiefs squad? Kaizer Chiefs news: Medical tests and Kabelo Nkgwesa As reported last Tuesday, Amakhosi made their first big decision on a foreign national. Edmilson Dove, who played 10 times due to a lengthy injury layoff, has become the first sacrifice. Latest: Rulani Mokwena to Orlando Pirates The Mozambican international joined Amakhosi in August 2022 from UD Songo. He left the club after 56 games, including two goals. So, what does this mean for the foreign spots? With Dove gone, Amakhos have four foreign players left: Fiacre Ntwari, Inacio Miguel, Edson Castillo, and Glody Lilepo. According to reports, Rwanda international goalkeeper Ntwari is linked with a departure, as well as the 31-year-old Venezuelan Castillo. With Kaizer Chiefs linked with seven internationals, the club will most likely sacrifice Ntwari and Castillo to make three foreign spots available. *Gaston Sirino earned South African citizenship after playing in Mzansi for over five years. INACIO MIGUEL AND GLODY LILEPO ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN AT KAIZER CHIEFS Indications suggest that Miguel and Lilepo are set to stay based on the impressive impact during their debut seasons last term. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Latest: Rulani Mokwena to Orlando Pirates
These are exciting times if you love Betway Premiership giants Orlando Pirates and Rulani Mokwena as a football coach. Reports say the Buccaneers are set to name the 37-year-old as the next coach. While Jose Riveiro left the club in April to take over at Al Ahly, the Sea Robbers are yet to name the much-anticipated replacement. According to iDiski Times' Sinethemba Makonco, Mokwena's sensational return to Orlando Pirates is imminent. Mokwena, who is the son of Julias Sono Hloae, and the nephew of the club legend Ephraim 'Jomo' Sono, was in charge of the Buccaneers in 2019. Mokwena later moved to Chippa United before returning to Sundowns in 2022. Confirmed: PSL club sell winger to Orlando Pirates According to Makonco, Mokwena and the club are in the final stages of negotiations. The former Mamelodi Sundowns coach is proposing his own technical team. Reports: Orlando Pirates name selling price for Mofokeng 'Talks between Orlando Pirates and Rulani Mokwena have reached an advanced stage, but with some finer details still to be ironed out,' the report said. 'Mokwena is known to be wanting to bring his own technical team, like he did at Sundowns (step by step) and Wydad AC. 'Additional information received is that Mokwena has approached Michael Loftman for the assistant coach position, while Mandla Ncikazi is expected to remain at Orlando Pirates as assistant coach, too.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
2 hours ago
- The South African
'He shots or takes defender on': Chiefs legend praise Pirates star
Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo has hailed Orlando Pirates winger Mohau Nkota following his impressive breakout season. The 20-year-old forward scored seven goals and added five assists in 39 matches across all competitions last season. His form has earned him a Bafana Bafana call-up earlier this month where he featured against Mozambique. Khumalo had praised Nkota's decision making especially when he is attacking with the ball. The Chiefs legend felt the Pirates winger was positive whenever he had to ball and would either shot or take on a defender. 'Listen. This boy, and every ball that he gets, it's whether he takes a shot or he takes a defender on,' Khumalo said, as per KickOff . 'He (Nkota) has never taken the ball backwards; he has never played anything backwards,' he added. 'He is always positive. His game is not negative. In every touch that he had, he was creating a final pass, taking on a player, or taking a shot.' The former Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana midfielder has also been impressed with another Orlando Pirates youngster. Khumalo has been a big fan of Relebohile Mofokeng since he made his debut for the Buccaneers two years ago. Nkota and Mofokeng have been a joy to watch for Pirates on the wings under Jose Riveiro. With Nkota already established, it remains to be seen how he will improve as a player next season. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
