Tudor: ‘Juventus tactics count for little, aim to win with Real Madrid’

Igor Tudor insists Juventus tactical changes against Real Madrid ‘count for very little,’ but he demands ‘the intention to win, not just come here and enjoy the stadium.’

It kicks off at the Estadio Bernabeu at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Atalanta-Slavia Prague on the Liveblog.

There is talk of crisis within the Bianconeri camp after going a month without a victory, managing just five draws and a defeat between Serie A and the Champions League.

When asked about the return to a three-man defence and changes in midfield, the coach took a very different approach.

“The tactical system rarely counts for much, and those who suggest you win or lose with a system know very little about football,” Tudor told Sky Sport Italia.

“What counts is heart, running, above all the quality of the players. They are the ones who decide the game. What we need is each of them to be protagonists, to step up, believe in themselves and try to win here.

“There will be moments when they have to be under pressure against a team of a high level, but we cannot play 90 minutes like that. So my input to the team is we need to step up and try to win.”

There are changes, as Manuel Locatelli and Francisco Conceicao drop to the bench, while Weston McKennie might be in a more advanced role bonding the attack to midfield.

“We prepare what we believe is best, but then the game develops and we’ll see. The important thing is we have an intention to win, not just to come here and enjoy the view of the stadium. If you come here with the mentality that you can do it, then that’s when playing here becomes a joy. That was my only input to the team,” added Tudor.

“I can only pick a starting XI, you think too much whether one player or another starts. It makes little difference who plays. It doesn’t change much really, it’s about the team spirit and all those other elements.”

The absence of Locatelli also means that Kenan Yildiz will wear the captain’s armband for the first time this season, and do so at the Bernabeu.

“He is a young lad who deserves it and I am happy for him.”