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Juventus FC v FC Internazionale - Serie AGetty Images Sport
Sattyik Sarkar

‘Even better than Napoli!' - Inter named 'strongest team in Serie A' as Juventus coach hopes derby win provides boost ahead of Champions League opener against Borussia Dortmund

Juventus head coach Igor Tudor has claimed Inter are the strongest Serie A side, and perhaps they are better than last season’s champions Napoli. This comment comes after the Bianconeri defeated their archrivals on Saturday, as the Derby d'Italia ended in a seven-goal thriller at the Allianz Stadium, giving them a perfect send-off for their Champions League opener.

  • Juventus won without giving their all

    Tudor claims Juventus were not at their best against Inter and missed some of their players in the wake of the international break as they sealed the win thanks to a late stunner from Vasilije Adzic. The coach said: “We played against the strongest team in Serie A in terms of squad, in my opinion they are even ahead of Napoli. We won without giving our all and that's a good thing, we were missing some important players and we had some problems with the guys who left for international duty. We weren't at our best and we still won, that's my observation."

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    Juventus privileged to play in Champions League

    Tudor's mean now turn their attention to the Champions League, kicking off their campaign with a home game against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday. 

    The Turin side failed to progress past the League phase last term under former manager Thiago Motta. Tudor will hope the triumph against Inter will inject confidence into his side as he prepares for his first European clash with the Italian giants and is sure his players will not be suffering from fatigue from the chaotic weekend win. 

    "It's the start of a new competition that all the players enjoy," he said. "It's a different tournament; if you qualify, it becomes even more different. It's beautiful and fascinating. You prepare like the others. My experience as a coach in the Champions League is that all the players forget about tiredness, etc. Everyone's goal is to play in the Champions League; it's a privilege."

  • Preparation remains the same

    Tudor has claimed that he is not taking any separate measures before facing Dortmund, a team they defeated earlier this season in a friendly. He said: “I feel ready to be a coach and do my job to the fullest. Tomorrow's match isn't prepared any differently than the one against Inter. It has nothing to do with the Champions League, the Conference, or anything else; everyone prepares to their full potential.”

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    Tudor’s side have a better head-to-head record

    Over the last five Champions League matches between Juventus and Dortmund, the Italian side have emerged victorious on three occasions, while losing out on the other two.