Ahead of [Juventus](https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com)’ highly anticipated [Champions League](https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league) clash against Premier League giants Manchester City on Wednesday night, coach Thiago Motta and attacking starlet Kenan Yildiz sat down to discuss team dynamics, tactics, and mentality.
Manchester City, coached by the legendary Pep Guardiola, undoubtedly represents Juventus’ toughest opponent this season. With four consecutive league titles and a Champions League title two years ago, the Citizens’ track record speaks for itself.
Both Yildiz and Motta praised City’s stature and voiced their excitement at playing a club of such importance and prominence.
For Yildiz, “(Wednesday night’s) match is a dream come true: it is one of those challenges that you have wanted to play since you were a child. The Champions League is a magical competition, I have worked so hard to be here and when I hear the anthem I get chills. Manchester City is a team with so many champions, like Phil Foden and Erling Haaland; it is an honour to play against champions like them.”
Motta felt similarly, saying, “It is a great opportunity for us to face a great club like Manchester City. We have prepared to give it our all in the game, carefully studying what we must do and what we must not do against such a huge opponent.”
What is more, Motta asserted that despite City’s recent poor form — spurred by an injury crisis analogous to that of Juventus, resulting in just one win in their last nine games in all competitions — they remain a formidable force.
“I cannot pass judgement on their current situation,” Motta said. “But this is a team that has proven their immense value over the years, so I have enormous respect for them and for their coach Pep Guardiola, for whom facts simply speak for themselves, as he has managed to win everything and consistently.”
As Juventus looks to make a statement after a season plagued by draws, Motta spoke about what the club must do on Wednesday night to come out on top.
“Commanding the game is not just about possession but attitude,” Motta said. “We know that Manchester City want to attack and keep the ball; we will have to defend well and show great quality when we have possession. There are many details to pay attention to but then you have to focus on the important things: for example, concentration in both halves, avoiding conceding space, especially between the lines. Then, at the end, we will weigh everything up and think about the table.”
Similarly, Yildiz said, “We have prepared very well for the challenge, it will be a big night for the team and for me, I will do my best. We are going into this from a draw but our focus is on tomorrow, we are united and excited to play this match.”
Motta also reflected on the team’s development and the challenges posed by the club’s ongoing injury crisis.
“Those who deserve to play will play (against Manchester City) and obviously those who have been out for a while need more time,” Motta said. “We are a young team and we can improve on every aspect of the game, but we are showing great character in difficult times and this is because there is great solidarity on the pitch. One example is Yildiz himself, who is prepared to do lots of different things.”
However, that being said, Motta also asserted that “I don’t think our problems, when they exist, are due to injuries,” which may refer to a number of issues, not limited to the squad’s relative novelty and lack of time spent together as a cohesive unit.
Responding to Motta’s comments, Yildiz shared his thoughts on his season so far and the trust Thiago Motta has placed in him, which he credited as crucial to his development.
“My season? It’s going very well, it’s nice to play with players like Andrea Cambiaso who help me a lot; in football, however, you must always improve, in everything. I hope to continue growing and scoring lots of goals. Thiago Motta is a great coach, I’m happy to work with him, he is helping us a lot and I play where he asks me to play.”
Finally, as testament to the game’s importance, Juventus was visited by Exor CEO John Elkann at training Monday, who observed a training session. Motta remarked that “It was great and important that he came to see us yesterday.”