Former Juventus coach Alberto Zaccheroni has weighed in on the club’s current crisis, offering his analysis of the challenges facing the team, the management, and head coach Thiago Motta. Speaking at the 40th edition of the “Maestrelli” awards, where he was honoured, Zaccheroni did not hold back in addressing Juventus’ turbulent season.
“What Is Juventus’ Starting XI?”
“Tell me: what is Juventus’ starting XI this year? I don’t know it. Can you recite it by heart?,” Zaccheroni asked pointedly when discussing the team’s lack of consistency. He highlighted Thiago Motta’s struggles to establish a clear identity for the squad, contrasting it with his previous success at Bologna.
“The Juve I see doesn’t seem… connected. I’m surprised because I have a lot of respect for Thiago Motta. At Bologna, he did an extraordinary job, but this year in Turin, he hasn’t yet found his footing. I don’t understand it,” Zaccheroni said.
He dismissed the idea that Motta is under more pressure at Juventus than at Bologna: “I’ve coached both Bologna and Juventus in my career, and I can guarantee you that the pressure in Bologna is enormous too. The entire city lives for Bologna FC. So, I wouldn’t say there’s less pressure there than in Turin.”
A Disconnected Team
Zaccheroni pointed to broader issues within the club that extend beyond Motta’s management: “It’s not just about Motta; it never is in football. There must be a combination of problems involving the players, the coach, and even the club itself.” He also praised Vincenzo Italiano’s work at Bologna while acknowledging that Italiano benefited from the foundation laid by Motta: “Italiano is doing great things at Bologna, but he inherited a strong base from Motta.”
Despite his admiration for Motta’s previous achievements, Zaccheroni expressed frustration with Juventus’ current state: “Now we see a disconnected Juve. Motta hasn’t yet found his balance, and maybe only he knows why, as he’s the coach.”
Questioning Decisions
One of Zaccheroni’s main criticisms was Motta’s frequent changes to the starting lineup: “This constant rotation of players—there must be a reason for it. For example, how can you keep Cambiaso on the bench? For me, he’s the best Italian left-back right now. He can attack down the flank or cut inside; he can do it all. Yet in Florence…”
Zaccheroni also questioned Juventus’ attacking strategy under Motta: “Thiago has tried to replicate in Turin what he did at Bologna—playing to the center forward, opening up to wingers who take on defenders and cross into the box. But then who’s in the area? And even when Vlahovic plays, he always seems too isolated.”
“Motta Hasn’t Lost His Touch”
Despite his critiques, Zaccheroni defended Motta’s abilities: “There’s no doubt—Motta hasn’t suddenly lost his touch this year! It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what’s wrong from the outside. But if Motta keeps changing formations every game, there must be a reason behind it.”
Zaccheroni concluded by emphasizing that solutions must come from within: “It’s up to those on the pitch—the coach and players—to find answers to these problems.”