The Juventus Dilemma: Giuntoli Says, ‘Motta? Let’s March Forward United!’ – Football Buzz
La Juve is rallying behind Thiago Motta and his fresh project, clinging to the belief that "we’ll emerge from this together." In Florence, expectations were high for a Juventus revival following their home downturn against Atalanta, but a defeat to Fiorentina has only deepened the crisis for the Old Lady. In the aftermath, the club is firmly standing by their manager. Sporting director Giuntoli stepped up to the cameras, declaring, "I’m here to say that while this is a very delicate moment, we remain united in our conviction: we’ll get through this together." This statement comes amid calls for accountability in light of the international break, as many anticipated a decisive action regarding Motta. Giuntoli emphasized the shared responsibility among all, players included. "I agree that players must also bear some of the burden," he noted. He underscored the necessity of regaining balance on the pitch, particularly in defense and attention to detail. "We’ll conduct a thorough analysis calmly," he said. "We have the time, and accountability from everyone is essential." Post-match, as Giuntoli mentioned, there was a meeting in the dressing room involving management, players, and the coach—but "all stays behind closed doors." As the league resumes, the pressure is on for a revitalised Juventus to secure their Champions League spot. Thiago Motta, fully aware of the scrutiny, is set on persevering: "Am I the lightning rod? I take full responsibility; I’ve always done so since I became a manager. In football, victories belong to players, while losses are on the coach. That’s just the way it is." Motta, after the heavy defeat to Fiorentina, reiterated the support of the club, stating he is confident in their ability to improve upon their last performances. “We've got to push ourselves more, myself included, and stay united to find solutions,” he asserted. "At the first sign of trouble, we must learn to respond and stay in the game." Recognising the psychological side of their struggles, alongside the technical and physical aspects, Motta concurred with Giuntoli’s sentiments but stressed his conviction: “Am I the right person to uplift the team? Yes.” He remained adamant that unity is paramount but insisted that individuals—himself included—must up their game too. “We had one of the best defensive setups in the league, and currently, we’re not executing either phase effectively,” he explained. "Rebuilding our confidence and focusing on improving our defensive phase is crucial; that’s the starting point. Without defensive solidity, it becomes challenging to compete effectively. We need to be more robust." For Juventus now, the imperative is clear: lift the squad from its current woes. — Resource: "https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/sport/calcio/2025/03/16/la-crisi-della-juventus-giuntoli-motta-avanti-tutti-insieme_ae15c94b-a12a-4466-93b4-4a447cf41eff.html
