epa11762941 Juventus coach Thiago Motta during the Italian Serie A soccer match Juventus FC vs Bologna FC at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, Italy, 7 December 2024. EPA-EFE/Alessandro Di Marco
epa11762941 Juventus coach Thiago Motta during the Italian Serie A soccer match Juventus FC vs Bologna FC at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, Italy, 7 December 2024. EPA-EFE/Alessandro Di Marco
Juventus coach Thiago Motta ‘can’t say’ whether Manchester City are in crisis but insists Pep Guardiola has done the ‘most difficult thing.’
Juventus host Manchester City at the Allianz Stadium on Wednesday in the Champions League Group 6.
“It’s a nice opportunity for us to face a great club like Manchester City,” Motta said at a pre-match press conference attended by Football Italia.
“We have prepared the game to give our best. We want to improve as a team, going onto the pitch with great focus and concentration on what we must do and avoid.”
Juventus owner John Elkann visited the team yesterday to watch a training session at Continassa.
“It was important to all of us, but what we discussed internally remains here,” said Motta.
Manchester City have averaged 63% ball possession in the Premier League, so will Juventus try to dominate possession tomorrow, or will they change their approach?
“Dominating proceedings is not just about possession,” argued Motta.
“There are other things that must be done well. We know we’ll face an opponent with particular skill sets. They’ll come forward with many players, so when it happens, we must defend as a unit, and when we have the ball, we must have quality.
Motta ‘won’t judge’ Man City as Guardiola did ‘most difficult’ thing
“The priority is to focus on things we can control. Prepare the game and know what to do on the pitch. Remain united, and play with intensity in key moments,” continued Motta.
“Put quality when we have the ball. We’ll face a team that likes to attack, but we can create trouble for them when we have the ball. We must close spaces between the lines that give them confidence. We must prioritize important things and be focused.
“We are a young team, and we can improve in every aspect. It all counts. We’ve already proved our personality, so we can grow. We help each other on the pitch. Kenan [Yildiz] is a striker, and nowadays, strikers have many duties, not just staying close to the pitch. He does many things well: attack, defend and link up with his teammates. This is what it takes to play and be a protagonist at a top club.”
Yildiz joined Motta for a pre-match press conference and had previously answered a question on whether he’d like to play closer to the goal rather than on the left wing.
Both Man City and Juventus were held to 2-2 draws over the weekend, and the defending Premier League champions are eight points below leaders Liverpool.
“I can’t judge what happens in the others’ homes. I can only admire what they’ve been doing over the last few years,” said Motta.
“They’ve proved their massive value. They’ve won the Premier League four times in a row, plus the Champions League and the Club World Cup. It’s reductive to talk about a moment of crisis.”
Is Pep Guardiola a role model for Motta?
“He’s very strong. It’s a fact,” the Juventus coach replied.
“Since starting his career, he’s won everything consistently, which is the most difficult thing. I won’t add more praise to an already strong coach.”
Andrea Cambiaso, Douglas Luiz and Weston McKennie will be eligible tomorrow.
“They are back in the group, we are happy they can help the team starting tomorrow, either by starting or coming off the bench,” Motta confirmed.
“Douglas Luiz has worked with the group. He made his latest appearance against Lazio a few days ago, but now he’s back, and we’ll see how he does during training sessions and when he’s involved in games, to fully rely on the player.”
Juventus are still unbeaten in Serie A but won just two of the last ten games across all competitions. What’s wrong with the team in recent weeks? Is the downfall only due to injuries?
“I’ve never used injuries as an excuse. I’ll never do it. I don’t believe in these things,” insisted Motta.
“The most important thing is how you face each moment, and we’ve proved that we’ve faced all situations in the right way, trying to do things in the right way and trying to play better than opponents. Sometimes we were able, other times we weren’t. We try to improve in all aspects, in everything. We have the potential to do so.”
Does he see any similarity between Dusan Vlahovic and Erling Haaland?
“We are talking about two high-level players. There are two centre forwards of big teams, but I won’t make comparisons,” concluded Motta.
“I know Dusan well, and I’ve watched the City player from afar, so I can’t judge what an opponent does. I am happy with Dusan’s work so far. Tomorrow, he’ll have another opportunity to show his worth, as he’s always done and will do in the future.”
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