Ahead of Werdnesday night’s Champions League game against Aston Villa, Juventus head coach Thiago Motta and do-everything fullback Andrea Cambiaso sat down to discuss team dynamics, tactics and more. Juve — who played to a 1-1 draw against French side Lille in their last Champions League game — sit toward the top of the playoff spots of the new league phase in 11th place and will look to make a statement against Unai Emery’s side.
However, just like over the weekend against Milan, the Bianconeri have to contend with a severely shorthanded squad. Plagued by injuries, Juventus traveled to Birmingham, England, with just 17 players, three of which are goalkeepers.
Nonetheless, Cambiaso — who has stepped up as one of the team’s leaders this season — seemed unperturbed by the size of the squad, saying, “we are a small squad, we’re aware of that, but everyone is fully available for the coach. We know that injuries are part and parcel in our line of work.”
Motta echoed these sentiments.
“(On Wednesday), we will face a great team,” he said. “(Aston Villa) are a team that is in good form, especially in this competition. We will go into the game with great humility, determined to play our game and with respect our opponent as always. I am always positive, I have great confidence in my players who show every day that they are ready to compete and give everything.”
Motta and Cambiaso also spoke about the new Champions League format, namely how the league phase has shifted how they approach games and the type of team growth it has engendered.
”I like it because you have the chance to face different teams and, consequently, it allows you to prepare for each match differently,” Motta said. “You face more opponents with different footballing ideologies to yours and this aspect helps you to develop a lot as a team.”
What is more, Motta asserted that playing against a variety of top coaches, like Emery, has helped him develop personally.
“Like all the coaches I have had, I tried to listen and learn from him too,” Motta said. “His career is well documented. He is a coach who has been at a high level for a long time, he deserves it because he has always been consistent in his work and he is continuing to reap the rewards for his effort.”
Similarly, regarding the new system, Cambiaso said, “the challenge against Aston Villa will have the same importance as the first four teams we faced. There isn’t one match more important than the others, they all count towards qualification for the knockout phase.”
Despite this, Aston Villa will be one of the more difficult teams Juventus has faced thus far. The Villans are well-positioned within the table, having won three out of their four Champions League games, including a 2-0 victory over German giants Bayern Munich.
“Tomorrow, in this regard, we will face a strong team and we will have to be composed and concentrated throughout the match,” Cambiaso said. “The game in Birmingham will see two teams who want to play their style football, it will be a good game.”
Motta also asserted the need to stay steadfast in their tactics, proclaiming that “we’ll play against a team that is very good in transition. We won’t be able to leave space for their midfielders, we’ll have to work together both in defence and attack. Tomorrow, being first to the loose balls could play a very important role in the match.”
Finally, Motta spoke briefly about the starting lineup, specifically addressing who will replace the injured talisman Dusan Vlahovic at the top of the pitch. One of the names that has emerged is Timothy Weah, who has impressed with his recent goal-scoring form.
“If Timothy plays tomorrow night through the middle of the attack I am sure he will put in a great performance,” Motta said. “And the same goes for whoever occupies that position on the pitch.”
