<p>Modesto, Juve all-in: "We're playing to win everything. Vlahovic is ours, Douglas Luiz made a mistake."</p>

SENT TO HERZOGENAURACH - The most evocative image, the one that already gives a sense of the new Juventus , is a gift from the sunset: as the sun sets and everyone's attention turns to the players busy taking photos and signing autographs, at the end of the open training session, François Modesto approaches Igor Tudor . They talk. Intensively. Then the coach walks away, and the new technical director, the man chosen by Comolli himself to be a step away from the coach, follows him. As if he had nothing else to do. They move to the other side of the Adidas pitch: together they observe the final part of the session; there are a few young players, Cabal is intensifying his work, and there is still much to discuss. The technical director listens, nods, clearly gives his opinion on what is projected before their eyes: they seem to agree, and in agreement they actually seem to be going for it. Which are two very different actions, not always complementary. To explain Modesto's role, we could start with this scene: the most evocative. And we can go back to the beginning of the French manager's tenure, a former defender—like Igor—for Bastia, Cagliari, Monaco, Olympiacos, and Bastia again: the weekend before his Juventus role was announced, his first step was to visit the coach in his native Zagreb. To take stock. And to demonstrate, from the very beginning, that he was at his side across the board.

François Modesto, can you tell us about this moment?

"We started the training camp in Turin, and we had a great time. Now we're at our sponsor's house, and everything here is perfect."

And work?

"We're doing great physically and technically, with the coach and the entire team. We're happy with what the boys are doing."

What is your daily life like?

"But it's the same as always. That of a technical director. We are the club. And we are close to the staff, the players, day after day. I act as a liaison between the management, the coaching staff, and the squad members themselves."

Did Juve's call surprise you?

"It was a wonderful thing, but also a very quick negotiation. When an opportunity comes along at Juventus, for a manager or a player, it's a source of pride."

How do you handle those who are the subject of market gossip?

"This year we decided to bring everyone, in agreement with the coach. We are Juventus and we must treat everyone equally. We were clear with them, but they behaved very well and we are happy. We hope everything goes well."

What group did you find?

"A united group. That works well together. That has created something important, also with the technical guidance. And that's very good. In fact, it's also been seen in their recent results, such as qualifying for the Champions League. They're good guys, they work well together and are preparing for a very important year."

Can you give us your first impressions of Tudor?

"The coach is very happy; he did a great job last year and wants to continue doing so. We're giving him the opportunity to continue doing this; we're with him every day. We talk about day-to-day life, and the line is perfect: with the club and with him."

You're coming off a demanding World Cup: could there be any complications?

"It's going to be a very long year, with lots of matches. But I think the Club World Cup was very important for the cohesion between the coach and the team. They worked well, creating something important, facing top teams and gaining confidence. Then..."

Then?

"There were three weeks of holidays, like many top-level teams, as is usual in football: some go to the World Cup, some to the European Championship. Holidays are shortened, and they're used to it. But we've worked very well, just as the medical staff is making progress on recovering those who need it. We're confident about that too."

Can you give us some feedback on the new arrivals?

"They've settled in well, because the group is healthy and they've been welcomed with open arms. It feels like they've always been here with us." The new management? "We get along well, we're a team. And we're together, with Comolli and Chiellini, actively collaborating at all times."

How many players does this team need?

"First of all, we're evaluating the players here, and we're very happy with them. We'll evaluate them. Through the discussions we're having with the coach and the management, we'll figure out who can come and help the team."

You welcomed back Douglas Luiz.

"And he was welcomed back. He knows he made a mistake, and we made him understand that. We called him up and made him understand what Juventus is all about. Douglas is very disappointed. Then it passed and he returned to the group."

He talks a lot about the group.

"It really surprised me. From the outside, you only see Juve playing, but from the inside, they're really good guys, who want to do a lot of things, who have a lot of respect for the club. And they've created a strong bond."

Did Galliani write to you?

"He was the first person I called when I signed with Juventus. I thanked him very much. I spent two and a half years with the Doctor, and it was the university of football. A person who gave me so much, who taught me so much."

The greatest lesson?

"I keep certain things to myself, even those with Prime Minister Berlusconi. Galliani and I talk once or twice a week, but in three years he's given me so much."

Did he ask you about Vlahovic for Milan?

"We don't talk about the market, just personal things."

And Dusan's summer?

"He's training and doing well: he's professional. And he's a Juve player."

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