by Massimiliano Nerozzi
Juventus is now looking to Thiago Motta to shore up their defensive woes—as they've plummeted from conceding a goal every 116 minutes to a staggering rate of one every 26 minutes. The club is also urging him to forge a better connection with the squad, which has been lacking given the mix of players let go and those benched.
In Turin, the mantra, "we'll all get through this together", voiced by Cristiano Giuntoli following their rout in Florence, is more than just a catchphrase; it’s the strategy to navigate their crisis in both form and results. A long meeting took place yesterday at Juventus headquarters, as Motta and the club officials came together to plot a way forward. While reassurance was given regarding his position, led by CEO Maurizio Scanavino, there is a palpable expectation for an uplift in defensive solidity and an empathetic approach to the squad.
The immediate challenge? The upcoming fixture against Genoa at the Allianz Stadium on the 29th, where the stakes couldn't be higher. The spectre of managerial change looms large should the performance falter, with names like Mancini and Tudor already being floated
Defensively, Juventus needs to reclaim its former strength that has inexplicably disappeared. Recent disastrous outings against Atalanta and Fiorentina showcased alarming gaps. Despite running more than Fiorentina—107.5 km to 106.8 km—Juve's execution was far from optimal, allowing easy breakaways that led to pivotal goals.
Yet, beyond tactical missteps, it's the psychological and relational dynamics at play that add another layer of complexity. Recent decisions regarding player selections and exclusions are causing unrest, with some players seemingly lacking the necessary resolve and connectivity on the pitch.
Thiago Motta's assessment echoes the need for resilience within the team. His views emphasise harnessing past experiences to build trust and cooperation, thereby mitigating potential conflicts that could hinder on-field performance. Encouragingly, it indicates that growth is possible, albeit challenging, and that mutual compromise is vital.
