Following the chaos at Como, when Tudor's troops slipped up to their first defeat of the campaign, it is a bit of a David vs Goliath clash for Juventus inside the cauldron of the Bernabeu for Wednesday's Champions League meeting.
This is arguably Juve's biggest test of the season tackling the record Champions League winners in their third league phase match. There's a huge difference between the talent of the two squads, and Tudor still doesn't know his best starting line-up.
Madrid’s left-sided attack has in-from Vinicius Junior with the ever-dangerous Kylian Mbappe looking to break through the middle before drifting to the left wing for the second-half. Whichever lone target man Tudor chooses will face a battle against defender Alvaro Carreras, who has been revelation since joining Madrid.
Lois Openda, the unorthodox striker signed on deadline day, could be unleashed by Tudor despite only playing 20 minutes from his past three games. The Madrid defense tends to struggle with pace, with Openda quicker than goal poacher Jonathan David and traditional no9 Dusan Vlahovic.
Mounting pressure on Tudor
The pressure is heavily on Tudor's shoulders, with half-a-dozen names already being linked with the yet to be vacated prestigious head coach role at the Turin titans that include the likes of heavyweights Roberto Mancini and Xavi.
Los Blancos are offensively solid, which will test the makeshift defense of the visitors to the Spanish capital. Tudor switched, for the first time this season, his rigid formation of three at the back to four at Como. Yet they were pulled apart, most notably by the sparkling talent of Argentina ace Nico Paz.
Xabi Alonso’s team are purring, sitting pretty at the top of La Liga and reeling off back-to-back Champions League victories. In stark contrast Juve have not won since early September, a last-gasp goal to beat Inter Milan in their thrilling Derby d'Italia encounter. Five draws on the spin followed by a tame defeat at Como has left fans and the team dispirited and lacking confidence.
Juventus can be tenacious
Juve managed a remarkable 4-4 comeback at home to Borussia Dortmund, and followed it up with a 2-2 at Villarreal. These Champions League games were full of drama and errors, with the Bianconeri's defensive vulnerabilities exposed by top-notch teams.
The last these European giants met was at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, when Juventus shotstopper Michele Di Gregorio prevented a hefty defeat thanks to a string of spectacular saves but could not prevent Gonzalo Garcia's header from finding the back of the net.
On paper it appears that it will one-way traffic again, with a minor miracle in Madrid if Juventus pull off an upset to earn a long overdue win for Tudor. Should the Bianconeri suffer a humiliating reversal then Tudor will at least have a shot at Lazio on Sunday to save his job.