Thiago Motta analyzed the disappointing draw between Juventus e Venezia at the press conference. Here are the words of the Italian-Brazilian coach of the Old Lady.
How disappointed are you? Is Juve out for the Scudetto?
“We cannot be happy with our time in the league after today’s game and this was not the result we were looking for. We, at this moment, needed to perform better and obtain a different result. I have never talked about the Scudetto and this is not the time to talk. Now it’s time to change with the next game. We need to change this story“.
Where did Juve go wrong?
“It’s not a delicate match. It became delicate because we were not able to do what we were supposed to do. Facing Venezia is different from City for a thousand reasons. This had an impact on the pitch, but not because the boys didn’t want to do their best. Venezia awaits you, they don’t come here to open up and play an equal match. City does it and we knew it: we can exploit more spaces. So we find difficulties. If you find someone who cuts spaces in the last meters, the action ends with difficulty. We took the lead: there we had to keep trying to close the game, we didn’t succeed and we gave life to the game“.
How come this team doesn’t take risks…
“Surely when you have to play a match, you have to try to take risks. However we had some difficulties. We have difficulties because after the lead, the game opens up even if the opponent, not having the duty to play the game, tries to take away the spaces. We had difficulty getting into tight spaces, finishing well and closing out the game. We gave life to the opponent, so they could have an opportunity and get into the game“.
Was defensive solidity also lacking?
“Today we conceded two goals in two situations. Today we weren’t able to put in the full performance to win the match“.
What can you tell us about the many draws?
“The difficulties are clear to everyone. We played matches with teams that agreed to challenge us head on: we had the chance to play well. In Leipzig we got the three points, also in the last home game against City. In these draws we played against teams that don’t come here to open up. It’s not a justification, playing for Juventus means having skills. It is an additional difficulty to win the game. We can have possession, play well in the last meters. However, in the Strait we still struggle to create”.
Why is Koopmeiners never decisive? Have you spoken to Vlahovic?
“On Koopmeiners the responsibility is entirely mine: I have to put him in a position to perform at his best. He is a great footballer. Vlahovic, in the heat of the match, is the first who wants to change the situation and win. The fans have all the freedom to express themselves even through booing. But it is clear that respect is required. Even in your work: you receive criticism, but you are not insulted, it’s not nice to hear. It’s not good for the footballer. He is the first to want to change the situation. Fans have the freedom to express their feelings on the pitch always with respect“.
A director passed away today…
“I don’t see it that way. I don’t think there is no dynamism. Together, as we do well in defense, we must do the same in attack. Starting with pace and intensity, when we have the ball, we always find a team that closes. Up to now we have encountered difficulties, from the next match we must improve in everything because I believe that Cagliari can approach the match in this way“.
Have you ever thought about facing these matches without dominating them?
“It’s not a question of dominating the game, we want to win games. In the end, if one team wants to defend and the other wants to adopt the same strategy, the ball goes in the middle and I touch it or you touch it. Today, playing at home, with all due respect to Venezia, we had to take responsibility for having control of the game. Only in this way can we win. If we step back, and I touch or you touch, we’re not going anywhere“.
How do you explain all these draws?
“I just responded in conference throughout the conference. They are different games. We were not able to win or interpret the performance to win against a team that is closing“.
