As Juventus prepare for Tuesday night’s home game against PSV Eindhoven, marking their participation in the first-ever knockout stage of the new-look Champions League competition, manager Thiago Motta and captain Manuel Locatelli discussed team dynamics and the club’s long-term progression.
Since this first leg of the UCL play-off round represents Juventus’ second Champions League matchup against PSV this season — the first of which the Bianconeri won 3-1 back in September during the league phase opener — much of the discourse during the press conference surrounded whether Juventus would approach this game similarly.
Both Motta and Locatelli asserted that the PSV clash, by virtue of the game representing one of two legs and since PSV have developed significantly throughout the season, will likely be a more challenging fixture.
“Tomorrow, we’ll play in front of our fans against a great opponent who plays good football,” Locatelli said. “They’re a young team that we’ve already faced, but it will definitely be a different kind of game. It’s a two-legged tie, but it will be essential to start with the right approach and get a good result. Winning always helps, it could give us a boost, and we have to be aware of our qualities.”
Motta echoed these sentiments, arguing that the problems they faced during their first showing against the Dutch side may be amplified Tuesday night.
“PSV are a young team that play good football and press high with great courage,” Motta said. “In September, we suffered from their possession of the ball, so we’ll have to be ready to face any situation. We have profound respect for them and their coach. To compete with them, we’ll have to be in top form.”
Regarding their plan against the current Eredivisie leaders, Motta further asserted that Juventus must remain steadfast in their game plan and tactics to deter PSV’s high press.
“We all know that this is a very important game for us. As our captain said, we always give our all in training to be ready for these challenges,” Motta said. “We’re playing at home with the utmost respect for PSV, but we know we have to play our own game. Intensity, pace, dynamism: defending and attacking together to achieve our goal, which is to qualify.”
Moreover, Locatelli proclaimed that the team is well-prepared, and clinching victory may depend on their ability to translate what they’ve practiced in training onto the pitch.
“Tomorrow will be one of the most wonderful matches to play in because there will be an incredible atmosphere: we have prepared for the match very carefully because we know we have to win at home,” Locatelli said. “It will be an intense match, we want to start strongly and secure an important result.”
Furthermore, both coach and player discussed Juventus’s long-term development and progression thus far. Both asserted that the team, as one that has changed shape, gained new members, and lost others throughout the season, has developed and improved significantly.
Beaming with pride, Motta said, “At Juventus, all matches are important, we don’t look further ahead, our focus is only on tomorrow’s game. This team has improved a lot. The important thing is the facts, and our goal is to make it to the last 16. A lot has changed, especially in terms of the squad’s resilience. I like it that the guys work and spend time together every day. Every game is very intense for me, football is a very emotional sport, but I am very calm today because I can see that the team is doing well. Tomorrow, we will have to compete at the highest level.”
Similarly, Locatelli asserted, “We’ve grown a lot as a team, we are a great squad now. We always train to the max, but we know there is still a lot of room for improvement.”
Finally, as one of Juventus’ breakout stars this season and as the emerging consistent captain of the team, Locatelli spoke about his personal progression, proclaiming his love for the club and the group of players surrounding him.
“For me, playing here is a dream come true and being captain is a responsibility I feel every day,” Locatelli said. “On the pitch, we’re brothers, we fight together, and we want to give our all for this jersey. Being at Juve is a responsibility because here you have to win straight away, but working with guys like this makes everything easier.”
