Igor Tudor, who got the boot as assistant coach alongside manager Andrea Pirlo in 2021, collected maximum points on his return as Juve interim manager.
The former defender has become a short-term firefighter for a plethora of Serie A sides over the years, implementing his dynamic style of play with varying results.
A year ago he was at the helm for Lazio, but he finished one position outside of the Serie A top six places that would have earned European soccer. He subsequently resigned from that role in the summer.
Tudor’s back in business, albeit again for an initial short stint with the Bianconeri. He oversaw a narrow triumph over gutsy Genoa, with his three-man defeat, by restoring Dusan Vlahovic to a starting berth.
Dream pairing
Vlahovic was industrious as usual, and paired up well with Kenan Yildiz who was playing just off his shoulder for Tudor’s tactics for possession play with quick passing movements. Vlahovic set up Yildiz’s match-winning 25th-minute goal.
No-nonsense Tudor bluntly explained in his post-match press conference how he felt after the home win.
He said: “We are happy for the fans, we fought with our hearts to get this result. I am very satisfied, Genoa are a strong team that are doing well, and are capable of causing you problems with a lot of players.
“Our performance wasn't the best, the enthusiasm was there, but in three days of training you can't expect too much. There’s only so much you can do on a tactical and psychological level.
Different style
“It is now all different, the tactical system. They were accustomed to a different style, as I want to be more vertical and with a different kind of intensity.
“I am happy because the lads understood, they wanted to do a lot of things, there was more we could’ve done, but that’s normal. The boys gave everything, the result was well deserved.
“Kenan [Yildiz] has important skills, but [Dusan] Vlahovic also did very well. We could have scored more, but the important thing was to win.
“It was exciting, for me, this match. It's important that the fans supported us, we needed it. We're happy for the fans and for the heart we showed, and the effort we put into it.
“A 1-0 win can be a starting point from which to grow further. Now we rest for one day and can finally get to serious work for a whole week with the full squad at our disposal.”
Tudor’s next game is tricky, as he will take his troops to tackle in-form AS Roma inside the Stadio Olympico on Sunday 6 April. Claudio Ranieri’s side are also battling it out to score European soccer next term.