'Everyone is to blame' - Juventus boss not mixing his words as winless run continues amid sacking rumours

Juventus once again found themselves on the wrong end of a narrow defeat at Stadio Olimpico. This time registering a 1-0 loss to Lazio that exposed the same recurring issues. Toma Basic’s early deflected strike decided the game, as Juve dominated possession but failed to find a breakthrough. The frontline pairing of Dusan Vlahovic and Jonathan David struggled for cohesion, while Andrea Cambiaso and Francisco Conceicao provided energy without end product.

It marked Juventus’ sixth straight game without victory and their fourth consecutive match without a goal. Their build-up play was predictable, and defensive lapses continued to cost them points. Lazio exploited space on the break, and Juve’s response lacked conviction. Coach Tudor, who was visibly frustrated after the final whistle, admitted the team’s shortcomings but urged collective accountability. “It’s a tough and difficult time, and we’re all responsible,” he said. “We prepared for the game well, but we’re still missing something. We need to stay united and work harder together.”

After the defeat, Tudor’s tone was frank, reflective, and unflinching as he addressed the critics in the post-match press conference. The Croatian manager refused to be drawn into the growing speculation around his job security, instead calling for unity and honesty.

"It's a tough and difficult time, and we're all responsible. We need to stay united and work harder together. We prepared for the game well, but we're still missing something: we need to get it right and we can't make mistakes at the back. Instead, there are always some mistakes and we lose games," Tudor said.

Reflecting on the scrutiny he is facing, Tudor explains: "I'm not thinking about myself. I see everyone asking me these questions, but I'm not thinking about myself. I live in the present and I don't care about the future. I'm clear-headed and aware of the problems that exist. Steps backward? No, no, my friend: steps can only be taken forward. We feel terrible, but we need to stick together and pull together. Everyone is responsible, we're trying to do better, and this is a time like this, but we'll play immediately in two days, and with a win we can get going again."

In recent weeks, Tudor has not stood still tactically. Facing a goal drought and pressure from above, he has experimented with systems and personnel in search of balance. Shifting between a 3-4-2-1 and a 3-5-2, he has tried pairing Vlahovic with David, expanding Conceicao’s role, and alternating midfield pivots between Teun Koopmeiners and Manuel Locatelli to improve transition play.

Defensively, Juve moved from zonal to partial man-marking in response to set-piece frailties. Tudor also gave full-backs like Cambiaso and Llyod Kelly greater licence to push higher, seeking width and unpredictability. However, the execution has lagged behind the intent, and the team continues to lack fluency in the final third.

As Tudor explained post-match, the ideas are there, but mistakes persist: “Today we tried with two strikers, we were there and had chances, but we’re definitely missing something. I chose David and Vlahovic because [Kenan] Yildiz needed a rest: both have goals in their arsenal, but when you get to the final 20 meters, someone has to score, otherwise a small mistake always happens and you get punished.”

Despite tactical reshuffles, Juventus remain toothless up front and unsettled at the back which is a worrying sign with key fixtures against Udinese, Cremonese and Sporting CP looming.

The atmosphere in Turin is tense. Reports suggest Juventus have begun quietly assessing replacements should results not improve, with Roberto Mancini, Luciano Spalletti and Edin Terzic among the names linked. Yet for now, the club hierarchy, led by general manager Damien Comolli, insists on patience.

Among the few positives in Turin, Kenan Yildiz continues to be viewed as the symbol of Juventus’ future. Tudor, despite resting him against Lazio, emphasised his faith in the youngster: “He’s a special player with something unique. You can see it in his attitude, his touch, his personality. But he’s still young, we must protect him and help him grow.” 

In the short term, focus turns to Udinese, Cremonese, and Sporting - three fixtures that could shape the remainder of their campaign. A win could reset momentum; another poor showing might force decisive action from the management.