Motta laments wasteful Juventus attack after stalemate

By Sports Desk September 15, 2024

Thiago Motta was not happy with Juventus' attacking efforts in Saturday's 0-0 Serie A draw versus Empoli, who defended valiantly to keep their goal intact.

Juve struggled against the well-organised hosts, managing just three shots on target out of their 15 efforts, creating just 0.89 expected goals (xG) in the contest.

It follows another stalemate with Roma just before the international break, in which Juventus managed to test the goalkeeper just once.

"We barely got to the point of making the cross we wanted to make," Motta told a press conference.

"It's one thing to do it from behind and another to get to a dangerous area to do it. It's not easy with a team that defends like Empoli, we had difficulties.

"[But] not only Dusan [Vlahovic] has to fill the penalty area ... We definitely have to improve on the sides and get to feed our attacker and those who come from behind."

Juventus' misfiring attack was not the only worry for the head coach, who made four changes to his midfield in the 67th minute.

Motta took off Manuel Locatelli, Nicolas Gonzalez, Douglas Luiz and Kenan Yildiz, introducing Khephren Thuram, Timothy Weah and Nicolo Fagioli, as well as striker Samuel Mbangula.

"They are great players and already in training with little time [they have had], they are able to understand what I want and how they should behave," Motta added.

"The four came in to give freshness. We didn't change anything on the tactical side, but we preferred to give continuity. Surely these players together on the pitch will grow, especially as a team."

Juve return to Champions League action after a season's absence on Tuesday, hosting PSV in the league phase of the revamped 2024-25 edition of the competition.

"Every game is different, the first two we faced [the way we wanted]. Today was a different game [to what it] will be on Tuesday, against a team that plays good soccer and attacks," Motta said.

"We have to be good at controlling the game, without allowing them to feel comfortable, because when they have the ball they always attack with many players."

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    "I'm very much in the moment, I know that this will be the situation for this block, and we as the coaching staff are trying to do everything to help the girls forward.

    "I think everyone is putting that little extra in from both the staff and the player's perspective. So I’m just trying to get the best out of Arsenal, because I care a lot.

    "I really enjoyed the role I had before. Now I have to play this role for the team, so I’ll play this role for the team. About the future? I don't know."

    Arsenal will be looking to improve their recent away from in Europe on Tuesday at the Stadio Comunale Vittorio Pozzo Lamarmora. 

    They are winless across their last three Champions League away matches (D1 L2), only enduring a longer run in the competition once before (D1 L3 between 2003 and 2005). 

    The Gunners sit second in Group C on three points, level with Tuesday's opponents, but Slegers is confident of sealing a big result in Italy. 

    "We are going there to play our best football, and we have a big belief in what we can do tomorrow," Slegers said. 

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    Slegers has been in interim charge of the Gunners since Jonas Eidevall's resignation last month, and has impressed during her temporary tenure. 

    She has won three of her four games at the helm, the latest of which came in a 5-0 victory against Brighton, moving Arsenal up to fourth in the Women's Super League table.

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    “It’s a breath of fresh air with Renee and we’re enjoying it so far," Mead said. "We’re in a good place at the moment.

    "We have the environment to build again, it’s a release of new energy right now and when you get the results and the performances, then it makes you a happier footballer.

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    "I think everyone is putting that little extra in from both the staff and the player's perspective. So I’m just trying to get the best out of Arsenal, because I care a lot.

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