With the Bianconeri having bagged a precious point at Lazio, in their bid for a top four finish, they continue to play the waiting game with rivals AS Roma.
Claudio Ranieri took over the Roma reins last September, the day after Luciano Spalletti resigned as head coach, and has masterminded the club to a remarkable run of form. They are on the verge of winning Champions League soccer next season.
Tonight Ranieri takes his troops into Serie A battle at third-placed Atalanta, who have been wobbling in recent weeks under wily boss Gian Piero Gasperini. There’s been ongoing rumours that Juventus will appoint Gasperini in the summer to replace Tudor.
If Ranieri can collect maximum points inside the Gewiss Stadium, then Roma will leapfrog Juventus into fourth spot.
Four-club chase
The season finale is a four-team battle between AS Roma, Bologna, Juventus and Lazio to secure fourth place at the end of the season, which seals Champions League soccer next term.
Juve’s final league match in Turin is next weekend’s visit of mid-table Udinese. Udinese’s last match was a shock home 2-1 defeat to already relegated Monza. So Tudor will fancy a straightforward win and a comfortable stroll inside the Allianz Stadium.
Surely if Juventus have points in the bag then their visit to relegation-threatened Venezia could be a breeze. Although if the hosts are fighting for their Serie A and many players’ livelihood it could be a tough fight.
Juve arguably are a squad of talented individuals this campaign, rarely gelling as a team either under Thiago Motta or Tudor.
Injuries and suspensions
Injuries have hampered Juve’s season, and Tudor has also had to deal with suspensions. Kenan Yildiz will return from his two-match ban for the last league games, while Pierre Kalulu’s Serie A season is over following his straight red card at Lazio on Saturday.
Juventus will be without the influential duo of Nicolo Savona and Khephren Thuram for the visit of Udinese, both suspended because of yellow cards.
Tudor explained in his post-match press conference after the Lazio stalemate: “The squad is strong, it has good values. Would Juve be like with all our players available?
“I feel sorry for [Pierre] Kalulu, we’ve had players sent off in two games now. Let's move on.
“I can’t comment on what could happen if we had done the preparation in a certain way, or if we had arrived at the run in of the season without these problems.”
Although Dusan Vlahovic came on as a substitute against Lazio, returning from a thigh injury, he still has yet to score in Tudor’s brief tenure.
Dusan Vlahovic stuttering
The Serbia striker reached a milestone against Lazio, becoming the first player born this century to make 200 Serie A appearances. Vlahovic will be desperately keen to break his goal drought against Udinese and continue to score when Juve visit Venezia, which should impress potential new suitors.
As talks have stalled with Juve about a contract extension, there’s been serious interest from the Saudi Pro League and the Turkish Supa Lig.
Fenerbahce have been trying to lure Vlahovic since January, with the sticking point his high annual salary demands. Some Turkish media have declared that it is as high as a whopping €20m (US$22.65m).
Muani, who scored against Lazio to add to his recent strike against Monza, is also on the radar of a move to Istanbul but at Galatasaray.
Kolo Muani factor
Head coach Okan Buruk needs to fill the massive void with former Juve target Victor Osimhen leaving the Turkish top tier, with Muani a strong possibility to fill his boots next term on loan from parent club Paris Saint-Germain.
Muani, who is being eyed up by a clutch of Premier League clubs, sat next to Tudor at the post-press conference and stated: “I feel very comfortable here, I feel part of a real family.
“We will see what the future holds, but I’m really happy to be at Juventus.”
Tudor could unleash Muani and Vlahovic in attack for the two must-win games against Udinese and Venezia, with Turkish talent Yildiz sitting behind the pair to provide some serious firepower.
Roma, who are the biggest threat to stealing the fourth spot for Champions League soccer, have also lacked prowess in front of goal like Juventus.
This factor offers Juve a glimmer of hope as Roma’s run-in is tricky. Tonight’s game at Atalanta is a blockbuster and is followed by the visit of AC Milan.
AC Milan test
Sergio Conceicao appeared to be in trouble as Milan head coach, but a recent upturn in fortunes has seen their Serie A form improve and they surprised Inter Milan in the Coppa Italia semi-final showdowns.
Milan tackle Bologna in Wednesday’s Coppa Italia final, and need league points if they are to secure European soccer next season.
Roma conclude their Serie A season in Turin, at out-of-form Torino, so will expect maximum points.
Race hots up
The chase for Champions League spots appears to lie in the hands of both Juventus and Roma. Juve have to reel off two victories and hope that Roma slip up.
Roma can afford to draw one of their three remaining games to maintain the pressure on Juve, but will need to catch up on the Bianconeri’s superior goal difference.
Tudor will no doubt tweak his tactics for the forthcoming crunch games, so that his attacking trio of Muani, Vlahovic and Yildiz can hopefully gel enough to start banging in the goals.
The pressure is now on for Juve and Roma both in front of goal and in terms of picking up precious Serie A points.