Motta left wanting more from 'frenetic' Juventus attack

By Sports Desk September 02, 2024

Juventus head coach Thiago Motta has called for more precision from his forward players after a drab goalless draw against Roma at the Allianz Stadium on Sunday.

Motta, who had won his first two league games in charge, had to settle for a share of the spoils after seeing just one of his sides' eight shots on target. 

The hosts managed just 18 touches in the opposition's box, with striker Dusan Vlahovic presented with the only notable chance of the contest. 

And while Juventus remained unbeaten in their first three Serie A games of the season for the third year in a row, Motta was left wanting more from his forward line. 

"Today we were too frenetic. At times we did well, at times they did well, it was a really difficult and balanced game," Motta said.

"We failed to understand the right moment to hit Roma, which must be underlined, they are a great team. Offensively we can do better."

The result marked the first time since the 2014-15 campaign that Juventus have kept a clean sheet in each of their first three Serie A fixtures of the season.

But at the opposite end of the pitch, the hosts produced an expected goals (xG) total of just 0.47 compared to Roma's 0.37, further highlighting the struggles of both sides in the contest. 

Juventus head into the international break level on points with leaders Inter, with Motta praising his players' commitment to the cause during the early stages of his tenure. 

"I think it's a fair result, in a balanced match. We didn't concede and we have one more point in the standings," Motta told a press conference.

"I'm very satisfied with the group and their commitment.

"We could have done much better today in precision in the offensive phase, but the opposing team knew how to defend and not give spaces."

Related items

  • Scotland disappointment 'never leaves', says McGinn Scotland disappointment 'never leaves', says McGinn

    John McGinn admitted that he is still not over Scotland's disappointing early exit at Euro 2024 as they prepare for their latest Nations League campaign.

    Scotland only took one point from a possible nine in Germany, getting thrashed by the hosts in their opener before a late loss against Hungary snuffed out their hopes of reaching the knockout stages after a draw with Switzerland.

    It followed a similar showing from the Tartan Army at Euro 2020 as they failed to make a mark on their major tournament return.

    Having played in both European Championships for Scotland, McGinn said it was an experience that has stayed with him long after the tournaments finished.

    "You definitely don't park them," McGinn said. "I still think about getting relegated at St Mirren. What I could have changed? What you could do better - these things never leave you.

    "Everyone always says the highs in football make the lows worth it, but that's a lie, so it'll always be in the back of your head things you could have done differently both together as a team and individually.

    "We've come a long way as a nation to qualify for these tournaments. We didn't want that to just be enough. We all know we could have done better in the summer, but now there's a new batch of players coming in, a sort of different feel with the squad, and hopefully, it'll re-energise all of us individually and hopefully everyone in the country as well."

    Scotland's next aim is to reach their first World Cup since 1998.

    Though qualifying for the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico does not start until next year, the Nations League could be a potential route into the finals for Steve Clarke's side.

    Scotland will play Poland and Portugal in League A Group 1 during the September international break, and McGinn wants to get off to a strong start as he sets his sights on the next major tournament.

    "We've got a couple of years now to try to get to a World Cup," added McGinn.

    "We've not achieved that in a long time. This group's managed to achieve things and break the pattern of not qualifying for tournaments. We've obviously not built on that.

    "Thursday, it's about us getting on the front foot, embracing being in the top division in the Nations League, which is a first for us. We'll probably have a lot more people to prove wrong.

    "We're all behind the manager, and he certainly seems hungry and ready to go again and, hopefully, we can do what no one's managed to do for a long time and get to another major tournament."

  • Tchouameni withdraws from France squad through injury Tchouameni withdraws from France squad through injury

    Aurelien Tchouameni has withdrawn from France's squad ahead of their Nations League fixtures due to a foot injury.

    The 24-year-old left camp on Monday and has returned to Real Madrid, where he will undergo further assessment, though the injury is not thought to be serious.

    Tchouameni had started all four of Madrid's opening LaLiga fixtures, having also played five times for France at Euro 2024 as they reached the semi-finals, but he will now miss Les Bleus' opening fixtures against Italy and Belgium.

    The midfielder is the second Madrid player to pull out of Didier Deschamps' squad on Monday, with left-back Ferland Mendy also withdrawing due to a shin injury.

    Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Digne have been called up as their respective replacements.

    It also follows the news that Dani Ceballos is set for a spell on the sidelines, with an ankle-ligament injury expected to keep him out for six weeks.

  • 'When the time comes, I'll move on' - Ronaldo not planning international retirement 'When the time comes, I'll move on' - Ronaldo not planning international retirement

    Cristiano Ronaldo says he has no intention to retire from international football yet, but does not expect it to be a difficult decision when the time comes.

    The 39-year-old holds the record for the most caps and goals of any player in men's international football, netting 130 times in 212 games.

    However, Ronaldo's future was called into question after an unconvincing Euro 2024 campaign in which he failed to hit the back of the net in five appearances.

    The tournament in Germany was the sixth major finals Ronaldo has featured in, a record, and he became the first European player in history to make 50 appearances at major tournaments.

    "When the time comes, I'll move on," he said. "It won't be a difficult decision to make.

    "If I feel like I'm no longer contributing anything, I'll be the first to leave."

    Ronaldo also said he "never considered leaving the national team" despite the criticism he received during the tournament.

    "People's expectations of the national team were too high," Ronaldo added.

    The forward has retained his place in the Portugal squad for their upcoming Nations League matches against Croatia and Scotland when he will be looking to score what will be his 900th career goal.

© 2024 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.