Ahead of [Juventus](https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com)’ trip against Monza on Sunday, head coach Thiago Motta shared his thoughts regarding the club’s progression, injury woes, and the challenge facing another relegation-threatened side.
Despite recent electrifying Champions League and Coppa Italia wins against Manchester City and Cagliari, respectively, Juventus have underwhelmed in Serie A, registering four draws in their past four games.
As Juventus make the short journey to Monza, they’ll look to translate their midweek form against the Branzoli into the league.
“We’ll be coming up against a good team with a good coach and, as always, we’ll have to put in a strong performance,” Motta said. “We’ll play with great determination and commitment to try and seal the points. If Monza keep it tight, it’s up to us to find spaces so we can create and put away any chances we make. I always hope to see positive signs, not just in terms of our progress but in everything we do.”
However, in what has represented a persistent challenge this season, Juventus will face Alessandro Nesta’s team shorthanded.
“Gleison Bremer, Juan Cabal, Arkadiusz Milik, Timothy Weah, and Douglas Luiz are all definitely out,” Motta said. “However, Luiz’s situation is different to the other players who are unavailable. I could have included him, but I want all the players to be at their best so I’d prefer not to rush him back too soon. We’ll be assessing Andrea Cambiaso today.”
Since Motta’s press conference, Cambiaso has been announed as part of the traveling squad to Monza.
The club’s injury troubles, which have particularly ravaged the defense, were on full display earlier this against Cagliari when Motta creatively adjusted the lineup to accommodate for a truncated squad, shifting midfielders Weston McKennie and Manuel Locatelli into defense and moving attacking starlet Kenan Yildiz from the wing to a central role with Teun Koopmeiners dropping deeper.
“Every selection we make is for the good of the team,” Motta said. “Manuel has a unique ability to adapt and read the game, even in training. We know we can rely on him if we need him to play in a deeper position. We spoke before the Cagliari match, and he said he was more than ready to play center back. The answers he gave were great.”
What is more, Nico Gonzalez — who recently came back from injury, and “is doing well,” according to Motta — is equally as malleable positionally. “He has played a number of roles in his career – top players can often play in almost any position. Wherever he plays, he’ll no doubt be important for the team,” Motta added.
Furthermore, Motta asserted that “the same applies to Kenan as it does for Nico, because he is a great player, as well. Yildiz has done very well wide left, but he has also played very well centrally, off the striker. He has also played in the No. 10 role and could play wide right. Wherever he plays on the pitch, he will add value for us. We’ll see tomorrow whether he starts or comes on to feature at some point.”
Finally, Motta gave an update on Nicolo Fagioli, who has suffered from a dip in form this season and has been the recent subject of trade rumors, as Juventus look to raise funds to bolster their defense this January.
“Nicolo Fagioli is doing well,” Motta said. “He will definitely be in the squad tomorrow and we’ll decide whether he’ll start or come off the bench.”