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EXCLUSIVE Tudor defies specialist with comeback
Tuesday 23rd April 2002
Croatia star Igor Tudor has revealed he is close to a comeback for Juventus, despite fears, after visiting an ankle specialist, that he would miss the World Cup.
"I chose another method and, thank God, the results have been really good," he told onefootball.com.
Tudor believes his persistent injury problems this season can be traced back to the damage his ankle suffered in the Serie A game against Lecce in September.
"It became complicated because I never fully recovered," he said. "We thought it was going to be OK, but it wasn't, so a month ago I went to see a specialist in the Netherlands.
"The treatment he recommended demanded a six-week break and, in the spring before a World Cup, you can understand why I was reluctant."
The defender chose a different programme of recuperation and is now looking forward to getting back into the Serie A title race.
"From Saturday I will be training with the ball again. I'm optimistic as my ankle feels much better. I hope to make the bench in the league match against Brescia on Sunday," he said.
"It's most important that we are still in contention. After Brescia, we have Udinese away and that will be really difficult as they are fighting against relegation."
Tudor's ability to play in defence and midfield will also be invaluable to Croatia at the World Cup - and the big utility man believes his national side's meanness on the pitch bodes well.
"The fact that we have conceded only two goals in our last eight games is good. It helps that the midfield is working so well, especially Zvonimir Soldo and Stjepan Tomas," he said.
"I'm sure that this Italian style will guarantee us a place in the second round."
Tuesday 23rd April 2002
Croatia star Igor Tudor has revealed he is close to a comeback for Juventus, despite fears, after visiting an ankle specialist, that he would miss the World Cup.
"I chose another method and, thank God, the results have been really good," he told onefootball.com.
Tudor believes his persistent injury problems this season can be traced back to the damage his ankle suffered in the Serie A game against Lecce in September.
"It became complicated because I never fully recovered," he said. "We thought it was going to be OK, but it wasn't, so a month ago I went to see a specialist in the Netherlands.
"The treatment he recommended demanded a six-week break and, in the spring before a World Cup, you can understand why I was reluctant."
The defender chose a different programme of recuperation and is now looking forward to getting back into the Serie A title race.
"From Saturday I will be training with the ball again. I'm optimistic as my ankle feels much better. I hope to make the bench in the league match against Brescia on Sunday," he said.
"It's most important that we are still in contention. After Brescia, we have Udinese away and that will be really difficult as they are fighting against relegation."
Tudor's ability to play in defence and midfield will also be invaluable to Croatia at the World Cup - and the big utility man believes his national side's meanness on the pitch bodes well.
"The fact that we have conceded only two goals in our last eight games is good. It helps that the midfield is working so well, especially Zvonimir Soldo and Stjepan Tomas," he said.
"I'm sure that this Italian style will guarantee us a place in the second round."
