Juve, Motta towards Atalanta: "We are angry after the derby". Vlahovic still out

The Juventus coach is asking his players to give a great performance in Bergamo: they need to recover the points left along the way

di MANUEL MINGUZZI
13 gennaio 2025
Thiago Motta

Thiago Motta

Turin, 13 January 2025 – Twelve draws, fourteen points behind Napoli even with one game less. The Juve seems cut off from the fight for the Scudetto and the fact that it happened in January, so early, says a lot about the difficulties encountered by Thiago Motta his first real adventure on the bench of a big team. The draw in the derby, yet another one, has displeased everyone a bit, especially those who live the environment with the motto 'winning is the only thing that matters'. A reaction is needed and the match on Tuesday against Atalanta represents a test, because yet another misstep would further undermine confidence in Motta, with many fans regretting Allegri e Tale. In short, all the pressure is on the coach.

Motta: “We are angry”

Disappointment after the derby with the Torino, with the draw achieved by vlasic with a defensive phase that is too soft for a team that by name is Juve. There is anger, therefore, in the locker room: "The group is trying to recover energy after the derby - Motta's words in the press conference - We are angry because we didn't win against Toro, but we are already focused on the next match against a team that is doing well and is strong. We will have to give our best". For Thiago, there are still many defections, out conception e Vlahovic. There is a statistic, that is, that without the Serbian striker Juve does not win. And do not ask Motta about the market, he will not answer: "All players are important and Dusan is for us. kolo muani? I'm not talking about players from other teams". In any case, the mission is to recover points, because the gap is significant and many victories from advantageous situations have been thrown away: "We made mistakes because many times we could have won and we didn't succeed. We are angry because we always want to win and now we have to recover the points left along the way". And also for the zone Champions the battle is getting tough, Juve can't afford any more missteps. Thiago doesn't project points: "We're not happy with where we are but we can't think too far ahead. The goal is to think game by game", Motta's mantra. We then moved on to the individuals. koopmeiners returns to the city where he had successes and satisfactions, the thoughts of the Juventus coach: "He is a fantastic person, he transmits a lot in everyday life and helps others. For him it will be a special match in a team where he has done well". The positive signal, with the Dutchman still under par, came from Douglas Luiz, convincing with Toro: "He did well against Toro and it wasn't easy to play after such a long time. He can help us both from the beginning and during the match and raise the level of the team". Another positive note is undoubtedly Kenan Star, who is living up to expectations with the number ten jersey on. The Turk can play anywhere and is growing. Motta is satisfied: "He did well on the right, on the left but also in the middle - the coach's response - He is growing and I am very happy, but he must improve the defensive phase and be tougher in the tackles. He is training well and has a physique that allows him to always be at his best".

The market is needed

There is not only the field because the Juve it also needs to be improved on the market. Giuntoli is looking for two defenders and a striker. There is still a wait for the centre-back, Silva and Hancko are blocked, on Araujo we need to wait for the decisions of the player and Barcelona, ​​so the director is closer to taking a full-back, which would be Alberto Cantabrian, born in 2003 at Vitoria Guimaraes. One goal and three assists this season, the cost of the full-back would be 13-14 million euros and the Juve will try in every way to anticipate the competition of Sporting Lisbon. The need to take him was made necessary not only due to injuries but also due to the break with Danilo, who is headed to Naples after the direct clash between the two teams on January 25. The offensive market, however, is not unlocked. Obviously there is Randal Round Muani, number one objective, but we are negotiating with PSG for the transfer formula. The Bianconeri would like to buy him on loan with a right of redemption for 40 million, but the Parisians would like the obligation. The player has already said yes to Joints. It seems impossible to reach Joshua Zirkzee. Manchester United will not loan him out and, with Rashford's exit, Amorim should keep him in England. In all this, we will have to evaluate, in February, what will happen with Dusan Vlahovic. The striker's contract expires in 2026 and Juve wants to spread the last year of his contract over two seasons, but negotiations have not taken off and the future will depend on the outcome. If he is not renewed, Juve will have to consider selling him in June. Much will depend on the offers, of course, but a capital gain would give Giuntoli the opportunity to work on a striker who is more technically and tactically suited to Motta's style of football. In any case, the next round of matches will say a lot about the coach's work and Juve's prospects for growth and comeback. There is no longer any room for hiding.

Read also - Napoli on the run for the Scudetto: 2-0 against Verona

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