Juventus coach Thiago Motta addressed the press ahead of their critical Serie A clash against Atalanta, who currently sit third in the league, three points ahead of Juventus. Motta emphasized the importance of the game and his team’s preparation.
Motta began by highlighting the team’s work ethic during the week. “We had an excellent week. I saw the guys training very well. Those who will be there tomorrow are ready to face a great team like Atalanta and play a great game.” He confirmed the availability of several players, including Rouhi, Cabal, Bremer, Milik, Conceicao, Douglas Luiz and Nico Savona.
Focusing on the Task at Hand
Regarding the match’s significance, Motta stated, “Concentrate on the next game, we know the opponent, the level of the opponent, we must be at our maximum level to compete. We don’t waste energy, but we focus on what needs to be done. At the same time, put into practice what we have to do to have a great game to have the victory, which is what we do this work for.” He stressed the importance of focusing on the present and maximizing their energy for the challenge ahead. “We have worked on a technical, psychological, and physical level. We don’t think about anything other than facing this match to the fullest. Our philosophy, you know it, game by game, focused on the next one and putting all the energy and determination to face the next opponent.”
Motta expressed respect for Atalanta, acknowledging their strength and the quality of their coach, Gian Piero Gasperini. “It’s a very particular team, Atalanta. Not only man-on-man, but also for characteristics, for experience, pressing forward at the coach’s request. Often on the man because they find the reference and go strong. They have the ability to change in the markings, and it is not easy. They have this ability to do it. If you let them play, they play very well. It puts you in great difficulty.”
Praise for Gasperini
Motta also shared a personal anecdote about Gasperini’s influence on his career. “He doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone, he has done great things. Great competitor at national and international level: great respect and admiration. And tomorrow we are focused on Atalanta.” He recounted how Gasperini gave him an opportunity to play after returning from injury, which reignited his passion for the game. “In that moment I was returning from an injury, I started training, and he asked me if I could play tomorrow, I said yes, and he said: then I’ll let you play 10 minutes. He put me in the first half due to Milanetto’s injury and from there I found the desire to play again, the smile, the fun for football.”
Koopmeiners and Team Dynamics
When asked about Teun Koopmeiners, Motta said, “The joke about the name? Yes, we joked about it. But let’s leave it alone.” He further added, “Since he arrived I see him very well, this season he has given a great hand, as he takes it for me, I tell them: the criticisms will always be there. It’s part of the job. Let’s accept it, let’s move forward, trying to improve, to do things in the right way. In the last game he came in and whoever did it did well. He scored a goal and I’m happy for him, it’s an important moment, all the sensations and emotions explode. We live for this. He does so many things to help himself and the team. Very important off and on the field. Always said: a privilege to have such a player, to count on him to the fullest. When he was there he always gave great help, he will continue to do so because he is serious, maximum commitment always, playing in different positions, which is one more thing. Reading, understanding the positions, he has already done it in Holland and it means so much. I hope that tomorrow too he will be of help to the team to achieve victory.”
Motta also commented on Kenan Yildiz’s progress, saying, “Kenan is doing well, he needs to improve in all aspects. Physically, technically, mentally he is better. He is still very young and there is significant room for improvement. He is humble, available, never stopped, I don’t remember one. Maybe he lost a game, I don’t remember. A fantastic thing in a season in which you play so much. He is always present. Humble. The important thing is that we can give ideas, correct situations, but it always starts from the player, he wants to do it and tries to do it, because he makes mistakes like all of us, so going forward improving in one aspect, he with the humility he has and the talent he has, has enormous room for improvement and must continue like this.”
The Importance of a Solid Defence
Motta emphasized the need to be clinical in front of goal and to maintain a strong defensive structure. “We must continue to create, the opponent’s strength tomorrow is to allow as little as possible to arrive in that area there. We must try outside, inside, in individuality, in creativity, in the arrival of those players, to arrive in that goal area. Insist and arrive in that area and create. The probability of concretizing, and we must increase the percentage, but it is about insisting.”
“Being a very solid defence, we will find a very strong team, coming forward. I congratulate Dusan Vlahovic, Nico, Francisco, our midfielders. Of course our defenders, the goalkeepers. Defence is a collective game. Or they all have their responsibility, both in re-aggression and in pressure, the team works better. Our attackers have collaborated a lot, helping to be more solid, to defend better. Credit to the defenders and others. And it should be emphasized. I ask a lot of them, when there is such data, we managed to do it thanks also to the attackers and midfielders. Who are supportive, generous, and think first of the good of the team.”
The Drive to Win
When asked about his preferred style of play, Motta simply stated, “I like to win. I liked them all. I have always said: when you are superior to your opponent, in many situations, the probability of winning is higher. It happens that you don’t. You manage to win. And it’s okay anyway. Above all the coach wants to win. To arrive at the victory. To arrive at the victory you have to do many things well, the right things during the week, the recovery, the training, arrive prepared for the game. Tomorrow the race must be faced well, our focus, concentrated, what we have to do and what we have to limit to the opponents, always thinking that if you are superior the probability of winning is higher. And it is our objective. My preference is to win the match.” He acknowledged that winning is the ultimate goal and requires a comprehensive approach.
Motta concluded by reiterating his focus on the upcoming match and his confidence in the team’s ability to perform. “No, for the moment we will not change our philosophy. Focus on the next game. We will not put energy into thinking about anything else. It means a lot. We had a full week thinking about tomorrow. Today the guys will have the tranquillity of being with the family or staying here at the hotel, fantastic, but always with their heads on the game. Nothing else. We don’t think about anything else. Only the game tomorrow.”
