Tudor Labels Como a ‘Deceptive Underdog’ Ahead of Juventus Clash

Igor Tudor has made a bold declaration, stating that Como is a “deceptive underdog” as Juventus prepares for their clash on Sunday. Juventus stands as the only unbeaten team in Serie A this season, alongside Atalanta BC. Their impressive streak of 11 matches without a loss extends back to April. This marks the third occurrence in four years that Juventus has reached this point of the season without suffering a defeat.

However, the Bianconeri have recently encountered difficulty, recording five consecutive draws, a situation they haven’t faced in nearly two decades. Their latest match ended in a goalless tie against AC Milan prior to the international break. Juventus currently occupies the fifth position in Serie A, looking to boost their momentum ahead of a Champions League commitment against Real Madrid on Wednesday.

Historical Context

Juventus has not lost to Como in their last 23 Serie A meetings, a streak that dates back to January 1952. Last season, Como suffered defeat in both encounters with Juventus. The last home victory for Como against Juventus occurred in a Coppa Italia match nearly 40 years ago.

Tudor expressed respect for Como’s squad, noting their significant investment and his personal involvement in player selections, which is a rarity in modern football. “It’s a tough match. Como is a deceptive underdog; they have spent a lot of money, and the coach has personally selected all the players,” he said. “We respect them, but we intend to go play our game.”

Key Players to Watch

• Como – Álvaro Morata: Morata faces Juventus, the club where he has played the most matches and scored the highest number of goals in the top five European leagues. He has faced Juventus seven times without scoring.
• Juventus – Francisco Conceição: Conceição contributed nine goals last season and has scored two in just five appearances this season.

Match Prediction

Predictions suggest a possible draw, reflecting Juventus’ unbeaten record against Como, which includes 14 wins and nine draws in their last 23 encounters. The last time Como triumphed over Juventus was back in 1952, with a 2-0 victory at Stadio Sinigaglia.

Como has drawn three of their last four Serie A matches, matching their total draws from the previous 21 games. They now have an opportunity to achieve three consecutive draws in the league for the first time since September-October 2002. Conversely, Juventus has not experienced such a prolonged winless streak in all competitions since 1929-30.

Winning Chances

As the match approaches, the stakes are high for both teams, with Como eager to showcase their strengths against a historically dominant Juventus side.