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."
Cagliari 0-4 Napoli: Lukaku stars to send visitors to Serie A summit
Romelu Lukaku helped himself to a goal and two assists to send Napoli top of the Serie A table with a comfortable 4-0 away triumph against Cagliari on Sunday.
Lukaku teed up Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia before finding the back of the net, with Alessandro Buongiorno confirming the win in injury time.
Antonio Conte's side took the lead in the 18th minute when Di Lorenzo saw his effort deflect off Yerry Mina and beyond the clutches of Simone Scuffet.
The visitors had to wait until the second half to double their advantage, with Lukaku sending Kvaratskhelia on his way before finishing at the near post.
Kvaratskhelia then turned provider for Lukaku to sweep home Napoli's third after Scuffet's misplaced pass out from the back was ruthlessly punished.
Further gloss was added to the scoreline in second-half stoppage time when Buongiorno headed home David Neres' inviting corner-kick.
Data Debrief: Lukaku repaying Conte faith
Lukaku has scored and provided more than one assist in a single match only three times in his career in the top five European Leagues, now doing so twice under Conte.
The Belgian ended the encounter with an expected goals (xG) tally of 0.77, the highest of anyone in the Napoli team, while also taking his tally to two goals in two games for his new club.
Brazilian Neres, meanwhile, became the first player to provide an assist in each of his first three matches in Serie A, with Napoli's new recruits impressing.
Ex-wife of former Jamaica footballer Jorginho James shares harrowing details of assault: "He punched me eight times..."
The estranged ex-wife of former Jamaican footballer Jorginho James has come forward with harrowing details of an assault she endured on August 30. A video of the horrific assault that occurred inside his child’s daycare facility, has since gone viral.
In an interview with Fox 26, she recounted the frightening ordeal that is the latest in a series of incidents involving the 30-year-old former professional soccer player.
James, who has had previous run-ins with the law for family-related assaults, was first charged with a felony last month. Recalling one such incident, his ex-wife described a terrifying attack where James used a belt to strangle her. "He put a belt around my neck, and he strangled me," she said. "He kept me in the room for about an hour, two hours. He put the belt around my neck a second time and this time it was longer."
The ex-wife managed to call 911 during the ordeal, leading to James' arrest. However, he was released on bond just two days later. Court records indicated that James initially complied with the protective order and bond conditions placed upon him. However, this compliance reportedly came to an abrupt end on August 30.
According to the ex-wife, the incident on that day unfolded as James followed her while she was taking their two-year-old child to daycare. "As soon as I parked, he jumped into my back seat," she recounted. Fearing for her safety, she quickly exited the car and sought refuge inside the daycare while calling 911. However, this did not stop James. "While I'm still on the phone with them, that is when he started hitting me," she said. "He punched me eight times. I feel like he wouldn't have stopped if I wouldn't have fallen. He already had his arm ready to go a ninth time."
The brutal assault left the battered woman with severe injuries, including a large black bruise on her face, swelling, and a broken finger. "I can't use my right hand," she shared, adding that even two weeks after the attack, the physical effects are still evident.
Despite the severity of the attack, the charges against James were not upgraded to a felony. Instead, the August 30 assault was classified as a misdemeanor, with James only facing a second felony charge for violating a protective order or bond condition. "I was 100 per cent sure that he wasn't going to be able to come out this time," the flustered woman expressed, voicing her frustration and disbelief at the legal response.
Even though the District Attorney's Office filed a motion to deny bond, the court set it at $20,000. James currently remains free after posting bail.
In a message directed at James, the ex-wife said, "I hope he watches this or somebody he knows watches this, and he realizes that he hurt our daughter more than he hurt me. She's been screaming and crying in her sleep. I just need him to stay away and focus on himself and getting better so he can be a father to our daughter in the future if he gets a chance."
'I always win things in my second year' - Postecoglou insists Tottenham can win trophies
A defiant Ange Postecoglou believes Tottenham have enough to win trophies this campaign as he "always wins things in his second year".
Gabriel Magalhaes scored the decisive goal for the Gunners in the 64th minute, profiting from some slack defending on a corner as he thumped in the winner.
Spurs had the better chances, especially in the first half, finishing the game with 15 shots overall, more than double what Arsenal managed (seven).
The hosts also dominated possession with 63.7% and entered the final third 62 times, but as they did against Leicester City on the opening day, they struggled to take their chances.
Asked if he thought his team had enough to challenge for silverware this season, Postecoglou told Sky Sports: "I don't usually win things, I always win things in my second year," he told Sky Sports. "Nothing's changed. I don't say things unless I believe it."
Postecoglou has failed to beat Arsenal in three Premier League attempts and was left to lament their lack of a clinical edge after the match.
"It's very disappointing in a big game for us and our supporters. We didn't deliver so you have to take the pain from that," he added.
"It has been the story of our season so far, we played in their half and created chances, but we lack a bit of belief in the final third. That's what we need to fix. It was always going to be decided in moments, and they capitalised on theirs.
"It's me who has to give the guys the way forward. It's not for a lack of trying by the lads, we are just going through this early part of the season where we are playing well but not getting rewards for it.
"We handled set-pieces pretty well, but we switched off for one and paid the price."
Son Heung-min made his 19th Premier League appearance in the North London derby, with only Sol Campbell (22) playing in more among outfield players.
The Spurs captain struggled to make an impact though, worth just 0.04 expected goals (xG), and he echoed Postecoglou's frustrations.
"We dominated the game; the football was there, we just conceded from a set-piece again. We did it last season, and it is really frustrating," Son said.
"I am sure the fans are also very disappointed. We have to improve, 100%. It's a tough moment and we have to stick together.
"We are getting into the final third, but the players have to take the responsibility to score. It is the hardest part of football, making the right decision and being clinical.
"We will bounce back strong, there is a long way to go."
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