Ahead of the much-anticipated Derby della Mole, Juventus head coach Thiago Motta addressed the media to discuss his team’s preparation and provide updates on player availability.
The clash against Torino comes at a critical juncture for the Bianconeri, who are looking to bounce back from their painful Supercoppa Italiana elimination against AC Milan.
The derby holds significant weight for Juventus, not just because of its historical importance but also due to the team’s need to recover momentum.
After a 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture at the Allianz Stadium, Juventus will now face Torino at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on Saturday at 6:00 PM local time.
Motta acknowledged the difficulty of the match, emphasizing its importance: “As always, it will be a tough match—we saw that in the first leg. It’s a special game for us, our fans, and the club.
“We can’t wait to take the field, and it’s a match we want to win. Despite some injuries and too many draws, we’ve only lost twice in 26 matches with a young squad, and I’m grateful to the players for their efforts. We always aim for victory.”
With Manuel Locatelli unavailable, Motta hinted at changes in leadership: “Without Manuel tomorrow, you’ll see who steps up as captain. Today, we have many leaders and room for others to emerge. Leadership is built among teammates, and as a coach, I observe, guide, and help players grow into that role.”
Juventus will be without key players for the derby, including Bremer, Cabal, Milik, Vlahovic, Conceicao, and the suspended Locatelli. These absences could prove significant against a determined Torino side.
Motta praised the versatile midfielder, who has been pivotal for the team: “He’s a high-level midfielder who can play across the three positions in our system. He’s creative, scores goals, and delivers key passes, though his defensive work can improve. His adaptability allows him to thrive in various roles.”
Addressing defensive issues, Motta stressed the importance of minimizing mistakes: “We concede goals due to errors and the quality of opponents.
‘To achieve victory, we must reduce errors, create more chances, and finish better. The team has shown great character in past matches, and while there’s room for improvement, I’m confident in their resilience.”
The coach also doubled down on his commitment to winning amid recent criticism: “Winning is essential at Juventus. I chose this profession to win and keep winning, as I’ve done in the past. There’s no debate—we understand the importance of victory and work hard every day to achieve it.”
Looking ahead, Motta underscored the need for focus: “Every moment is crucial, from the first to the last match. The next game is always the most important, and that’s where we channel our energy. We’ve had almost a full week to prepare, and we’re ready to give it our all.”
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