Thiago Motta Reflects on Juventus’ Disappointing 0-0 Draw with Empoli
Juventus coach Thiago Motta expressed his disappointment following the team’s 0-0 draw against Empoli, acknowledging that it was not the desired result. Despite the setback, Motta remains optimistic about the team’s progress as they prepare for their upcoming Champions League showdown with PSV.
The Bianconeri had enjoyed a strong start to the season with wins over Como and Verona, showcasing a solid defense. However, issues in the attack have started to surface, leading to the stalemate with Roma before the international break and now against Empoli.
The match against Empoli saw the debut of new signings Teun Koopmeiners, Nico Gonzalez, Douglas Luiz, and Pierre Kalulu in the starting lineup, but their presence did not translate into goals. Possessing 70 percent of the ball possession, Juventus struggled to break down Empoli’s defense and create clear-cut scoring opportunities.
Speaking to DAZN after the match, Motta emphasized the importance of the entire team contributing to both defensive solidity and attacking creativity. He acknowledged the team’s efforts in the second half to push forward and create chances but recognized the need for improvement in converting those opportunities into goals.
While a draw was not the desired outcome, Motta praised the team’s overall performance and emphasized the importance of continued growth and development moving forward.
This season marks only the fifth time in Juventus’ history that they have kept a clean sheet in each of their first four Serie A matches, showcasing their defensive prowess.
Analyzing Juventus’ struggles in breaking down Empoli’s defense, Motta highlighted the tactical adjustments made during the game. Kenan Yildiz played a wider role to stretch Empoli’s five-man backline, allowing Koopmeiners to operate as a playmaker behind the striker with Gonzalez providing width on the opposite flank in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Motta stressed the importance of serving striker Dusan Vlahovic with a variety of crosses and through balls to maximize his aerial ability and goal-scoring threat. While Vlahovic showed signs of frustration during the match, Motta emphasized his overall contribution to the team and the need for the striker to focus on playing his role and supporting the squad.
The match also saw some late drama between Empoli’s Pietro Pellegri and Juventus’ Federico Gatti, with Pellegri appearing to aim a slight headbutt at Gatti during an off-the-ball altercation. Despite the incident, the referee opted to issue a yellow card rather than a more severe punishment.
Looking ahead, Juventus will shift their focus to the Champions League as they prepare to face PSV Eindhoven in their first European fixture of the season. Motta expressed pride in the opportunity to compete in such a prestigious competition and emphasized the need to learn from the Empoli match, extract positives, and concentrate on the upcoming challenge against PSV.
Expecting a tough encounter against PSV, Motta highlighted the Dutch side’s quality and experience in European competition. He emphasized the importance of controlling possession, dictating the tempo of the game, and creating scoring opportunities to secure a positive result in the Champions League clash.
In conclusion, while the draw against Empoli may not have been the desired outcome for Juventus, Thiago Motta remains optimistic about the team’s progression and is focused on building towards success in both domestic and European competitions. With valuable lessons learned from the match, Juventus will look to regroup and refocus as they continue their campaign in pursuit of their goals and objectives for the season.