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• Consistency key for Champions League and Serie A success, says Motta

  Thiago Motta believes his team must make strides with their consistency to compete in the Champions League and Serie A during his first season at the helm. 

  Motta, who took charge of Juventus at the start of the campaign, is unbeaten in his first 10 games, winning six and drawing four in all competitions so far. 

  Juventus needed a late own-goal from Mario Gila to edge past Lazio at the weekend, with the triumph ensuring they kept pace with the top two in Serie A. 

  Motta's side, however, are among the lowest scorers in Italy's top flight with 11 - only nine teams in the division have scored fewer in the league than Juventus. 

  However, Juventus have been prolific in this season's Champions League, scoring six goals in their two games, and are one of only seven sides with a perfect record so far.

  And ahead of facing Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart at the Allianz Stadium on Tuesday, Motta has said his players must continue to improve if they are to achieve success. 

  "There is no difference between the league and the Champions League," Motta told reporters on Monday.

  "We must always have the same attitude, each match is a story in itself - with evolving strategies and situations.

  "It's not just us who have difficulties against teams that close down well, everyone struggles, football is like that and that's why we have to give our all and believe until the end.

  "We must continue to improve in all aspects, both in terms of the game and mentally. We hope to perform well, playing good football. That is the way we will have a chance of winning."

  Motta was also asked about Turkish teenager Kenan Yildiz, who impressed at Euro 2024 but has yet to start firing for Juventus this term. 

  The 19-year-old has failed to score in his eight Serie A appearances, managing just two assists so far. 

  However, Yildiz has shown his quality in the Champions League.

  He produced a fine finish in Juventus' 3-1 win over PSV Eindhoven, becoming the club's youngest-ever goalscorer in the competition, surpassing Alessandro del Piero's previous record.

  "I'm happy with the work Yildiz does on the pitch, he puts all his quality at the disposal of the team," Motta said. 

  "He can certainly do better. He was only born in 2005 and he's already making an impact.

  "I'm happy with what I see both as a wide player and when he comes in more centrally."

  Motta will be hoping Yildiz can help play a starring role as the Italian boss aims to become the third Juventus manager after Fabio Capello (first five) in 2004-05 and Marcelo Lippi in 1995-96 (first four) to win his first three Champions League games. 

  He has reason to be confident too. Juventus have won each of their last five major European games against German sides (all since 2019-20), which is already their best winning run against such opposition.

• Van Dijk confirms Liverpool contract talks opened

  Virgil van Dijk confirmed official talks have been opened between his representatives and the club over a new contract.

  The defender, who joined the Reds from Southampton in January 2018, is one of three key players in the final year of his contract, along with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah.

  He has made 280 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions, winning the Premier League, the FA Cup, two EFL Cups, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.

  Van Dijk has quickly settled into life under new manager Arne Slot, helping the team to keep five Premier League clean sheets, the most of any team.

  He has played every minute in the top-flight this season, and he has made 18 interceptions, with only Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez (19) making more among defenders in the competition.

  Following Liverpool's 2-1 win over Chelsea on Sunday, their 10th win of the season, Van Dijk explained negotiations over his Liverpool future had begun.

  "I can say obviously discussions are ongoing, but I don't know, we will see what happens in the future," Van Dijk said.

  "My very full focus is on Liverpool, wanting to win games that are ahead of me and nothing else.

  "What the future will bring I have no idea at the moment. I can only tell you that discussions have been started up, and we will see. I feel very good, physically, mentally, and I am having fun.

  "When it's time to make a decision or whatever, I think you guys [the media] will know it as well. But now, full commitment and focus is on Liverpool and to be successful this season. So we will see."

• Luis Enrique not overlooking 'tough' PSV test on Champions League return

  Luis Enrique is not overlooking the test PSV Eindhoven will bring to the Parc des Princes when they face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday. 

  PSV come into the game with the French champions having yet to win in the Champions League, losing to Juventus before drawing 1-1 with Juventus last time out.

  However, Peter Bosz's side come into the contest on the back of a 2-1 league win over AZ Alkmaar, taking them five points clear at the summit of the Eredivisie.

  PSV have also scored 29 goals in their first nine league games, conceding just six times as they remain perfect so far, something Luis Enrique was wary of. 

  "I think that with the expanded Champions League format there are lots of teams with very high levels," Luis Enrique told reporters. 

  "Last season, they were the best team in their country, and they have had an incredible start to the season when you look at the statistics."

  Luis Enrique led PSG to a 4-2 win over Strasbourg on Saturday, with Senny Mayulu, Marco Asensio, Bradley Barcola and Lee Kang-In on target for the Parisiens. 

  But after falling to a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal in their last Champions League encounter, the PSG boss is expecting a similar challenge to the one his players have just faced.

  "They are a top level team without doubt. I think it will be similar to the game against Strasbourg," he said.

  "It will be tough for us because of how they play. They play far away from their goal.

  "They press well and score goals and the two goals they scored were from high pressing.

  "The Dutch teams play very good football and PSV know what to do with the ball."

  This will be PSG's first ever European meeting with PSV, with the Parisiens only meeting with a Dutch side coming against Ajax in the 2014-15 group stage, winning one of those games and drawing the other.

  After PSV, the Ligue 1 champions will face Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich, though he said the team's priority focus was on Eindhoven. 

  "The next game is always the most important one because that is the one you can control," the Spaniard said.

  "With the new format of the Champions League, every home game is even more important. That also goes for PSV."

  But Tuesday's hosts will be confident of a victory, with PSV having picked up just two wins in 18 away major European visits to French clubs (drawn nine, lost seven).