Motta Reflects on Recent Struggles Post-Fiorentina Defeat

In the wake of a disheartening 3-0 defeat to Fiorentina, Thiago Motta faced the press with a heavy heart. He noted, "Our performance was a continuation of the last match against Atalanta. Before these fixtures, we boasted the tightest defence in the league, yet now our defensive phases are lacking. Offensively, we’ve failed to score, and conceded far too many goals in two matches." He emphasised the urgent need to rebuild confidence and focus on enhancing their off-the-ball game, once a hallmark of their play.

Motta also addressed speculation surrounding the sale of experienced players, stating, "Those are mere assumptions. Prior to these last two matches, we were defensively robust; now, we struggle. We haven't posed a threat to our opponents, and a team of our calibre should at least manage one phase decently." On his relationship with sporting director Giuntoli, he quipped, "What was discussed stays between us. However, we must remain more united, keeping a clear head in our analyses to address what needs changing for the upcoming clash with Genoa. We need to refine our foundational play."

Concluding on the team's character, he remarked, "Both today and against Atalanta, we started well, but matches are 95 minutes long, and we must outperform the opposition for at least one phase of the game. Today, despite having possession, we created scant threats, and when the others had a sniff, they capitalised. Our reaction was inadequate, leading to two disappointing defeats. Against Atalanta, we held our own for 45 minutes, yet today, after conceding the first goal, we kept playing without troubling the opponents."

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