Reeling from their Champions League play-off round exit against PSV Eindhoven, Juventus reorient their attention back to Serie A where their fight for the top four continues to intensify.
Before Sunday night’s game away from home against Cagliari, Juve coach Thiago Motta discussed team dynamics, tactics, individual players, and the club’s mentality after their disappointing loss. Motta asserted that the best course of action for the club and the players, after their disappointment, is to quickly resume playing and shift their focus to the next challenge.
“It’s important to get back out on the pitch just a few days after the away match in the Netherlands,” Motta said. “It will be a complicated match in Cagliari, we know the difficulties that we will have to deal with. We have to put in a great performance to maintain our momentum in the league.”
Against PSV, January signing Renato Veiga was forced to leave the field early in the first half with an injury, During Saturday’s press confference, Motta provided some updates on Veiga’s situation, as well as some of the other players occupying the club’s injury list.
“We won’t have Veiga or (Pierre) Kalulu available, as well as (Gleison) Bremer, (Juan) Cabal, and (Arkadiusz) Milik,” Motta said. “I have no doubt that the lads will put in the maximum effort (against Cagliari): the important thing is to show that we want to get going again right away and put in a great performance.”
Regarding the potential starting lineup against Cagliari, Motta suggested that after favoring new signing Randal Kolo Muani over longstanding striker Dusan Vlahovic, he may try to find space for both players up top.
“There is a chance that Vlahovic will start, as well as all the others. He could play with Kolo Muani: this option will be tried out when there is the opportunity and when he is the best choice for the team,” Motta said. “For tomorrow, whoever is in better condition will get more minutes.”
Motta was also asked about specific players, their improvement throughout the season, and their integration within the club.
Motta spoke about Timothy Weah, who, given the club’s defensive injury crisis, has seriously impressed as a full-back.
“I think Weah performs very well as a full-back: he can be aggressive, he can defend, he can win duels,” Motta said. “He can improve, but he always presses his man well. In addition to these aspects, he also gives us a big helping hand in the attacking phase: I’m happy with what he’s doing in that position.”
Additionally, Motta asserted that winter signing Alberto Costa — who has yet to make an appearance since joining the club last month — has impressed and expects his first game imminently.
“Alberto Costa has been doing well in training since he arrived: he is attentive, learns quickly and has excellent physical qualities,” Motta said. “If he keeps working like this, when his opportunity comes he will do very well: he is hungry and I see how hard he works every day. He is happy to be at Juventus and wants to prove his worth: I am happy to have him in the group.”
Finally, Motta spoke about Francisco Conceicao, who has provided needed dynamism and skill to the front line but remains a relatively raw prospect and must refine certain aspects of his game.
“Conceicao gained experience at Ajax and Porto, two great clubs that know how to play good football,” Motta said. “He has a lot of room for improvement, even in the final third: when to choose to dribble, to pass it to a teammate or to go for goal. We often talk about this with him: sometimes he has to be closer to the goal to try to score, sometimes he needs to find more space. The important thing is his attitude: he is attentive, he listens, he improves and so far he has contributed a lot. I’m convinced he will do the same in the future.”
