Federico Gatti’s journey at Juventus has taken an unexpected turn. The defender, who has clocked an impressive 3,035 minutes on the pitch this season, making him the most-used player under Thiago Motta’s management, now finds himself at a crossroads. His durability has been crucial, especially given the injury woes plaguing Juventus’ defensive line, yet his relationship with the coach has become strained.
Initially emerging as the model student during the summer preparations in Germany, Gatti was earmarked as the designated captain and a stable fixture in the starting lineup. However, the clash of strong personalities led to tensions that have simmered since October. Key incidents, such as the captain’s armband being given to Andrea Cambiaso against Lazio, Danilo being preferred as a substitute against Stuttgart, and Gatti’s benching for the crucial match against Inter at San Siro, have all contributed to the deterioration of his rapport with Motta.
The coach’s public statements reflect this changing dynamic. In August, Motta praised Gatti, stating he deserved the captaincy for embodying the team’s desired qualities. By October, the tone had shifted to a more diplomatic stance about internal choices and needing all players, signaling Gatti’s fall from favor.
Despite these setbacks, Gatti has maintained his place in the team, largely due to injuries to other defenders like Gleison Bremer, Juan Cabal, Pierre Kalulu, and Renato Veiga. However, the cracks in his relationship with Motta have seemingly affected contract renewal negotiations, which earlier seemed a mere formality.
Tuttosport (via Il Bianconero) report how Gatti’s current contract runs until June 30, 2028. The initial plan, which may still be on the table, was to extend it to 2029 or even 2030, with a salary increase from €1.4 million to about €2.3 million per season. The club had aimed to finalize this deal by Christmas, but progress has stalled. This delay, coupled with the tensions with Motta, has led to speculation about Gatti’s future at Juventus.
The situation remains fluid, with Gatti having rebuffed interest from Nottingham Forest in January, demonstrating his commitment to Juventus. However, recent reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport suggest that Gatti is among the players who might depart next season, adding another layer of uncertainty to his Juventus career.
