Juve boss Tudor is experiencing a tricky time this term, despite an unbeaten start to the campaign. The lack of wins have seen them slip to fifth in Serie A and chalk up just two points from their opening pair of Champions League games.
Tudor’s bizarre tactics are to blame for their underwhelming performances and lack of ruthlessness. The overall squad is lightweight in defense and midfield, but possesses a dearth of talent upfront.
Yet summer striker signings Jonathan David and Lois Openda have only scored once in eight competitive games this term, which stretches back to David’s Serie A debut strike against minnows Parma in the season opener.
Both new center forwards have been unable to adapt to the defensive pace of Serie A, as well as being constantly subjected to a bit-part role at the Turin titans.
Last year’s top scorer Dusan Vlahovic has yet to find the back of the net as a starter, but has managed to net four goals after arriving off the bench to earn the tag of supersub.
All three forwards seem to be visibly unhappy at being part of the constant and chaotic rotation tactics employed by under-pressure manager Igor Tudor.
Tudor needs to change tactics
The writing will be on the wall unless Tudor ends his haphazard substitutions and starts to set his sides up to beat opponents. Otherwise he could come a cropper just like Thiago Motta, who was given the boot following too many draws.
The Bianconeri are teetering on failure so early in this campaign, but it would not take much to get back on track. Their next games are trips to Como and Real Madrid, with a shake-up urgently required to tackle these daunting contests.
However, there is clearly a lack of confidence hanging over David, Openda and Vlahovic. This is because none of the forwards are ever given the chance to play a full 90 minutes in a match under Tudor’s tactics.
Juventus are fully aware that they could lose at least one striker in January, so are already exploring a move for former Bologna ace Joshua Zirkzee.
Ligue 1 giants Olympique Marseille are monitoring goal poacher David, who netted 77 times during three seasons with LOSC Lille.
Bayern Munich eye up Juve pair
While Bayern Munich are keeping tabs on both Openda, on a season-long loan from their rivals RB Leipzig, and prolific Juve striker Vlahovic.
Bayern, who originally made contact with his representatives before he moved from Fiorentina to Juventus in January 2022, have renewed their interest in Serbia star Vlahovic who becomes a free agent in July.
The German giants are gathering information about the 25-year-old’s availability. They could make a move in the next transfer window or tempt him to sign a pre-contract in February to avoid a bidding war.
Reports from the German press claim that Vlahovic is “very interested” in a move to the Bundesliga champions, who would like to partner Vlahovic with England striker Harry Kane.