Following Juventus’ dramatic 2-2 draw against Bologna at the Allianz Stadium, former Juventus coach Gigi Maifredi has offered a critical assessment of the team’s current performance and coaching strategy.
Speaking to Radio Sportiva, Maifredi expressed his concerns about Juventus underperforming despite having a roster filled with talent.
“Juventus is underperforming relative to its potential; they have significant players,” Maifredi stated, reflecting on the team’s inability to secure a win against Bologna, a match where they fought back from a 2-0 deficit to earn a point thanks to late goals by Teun Koopmeiners and Samuel Mbangula.
Maifredi also scrutinized Juventus’ new head coach, Thiago Motta, who was sent off during the match for dissent.
“Thiago Motta also needs to make the leap; there’s a difference between coaching mid-table teams and managing top-tier clubs,” he remarked. Motta’s tenure at Bologna had been successful, but his transition to Juventus appears to come with challenges.
The former coach drew parallels between Motta and Massimiliano Allegri, suggesting that both coaches tend to depend heavily on individual player brilliance rather than a cohesive tactical approach.
“Like Allegri, he relies too much on his players’ individual brilliance,” Maifredi observed.
The match against Bologna saw Juventus grappling with injury issues, notably with Andrea Cambiaso being forced off early due to an ankle injury. Maifredi questioned the tactical adjustments made by Motta, particularly the decision not to utilize Kenan Yildiz.
“When Cambiaso got injured, he could have played Yildiz and moved Weah back, especially since they were playing at home. Not playing Yildiz today is incomprehensible,” he argued, highlighting what he sees as a missed opportunity to maintain a dynamic lineup.
Moreover, Maifredi touched on the performance of summer signing Teun Koopmeiners, who scored his first goal for Juventus in this match but still seems to be finding his place within the team’s structure.
“Koopmeiners is a player of a higher caliber, but he doesn’t know where he’s going,” Maifredi noted, indicating that the Dutch midfielder’s integration into the squad requires further refinement.
This analysis by Maifredi comes at a time when Juventus fans and observers are increasingly vocal about their expectations for better performances, especially as they approach crucial matches in both Serie A and the Champions League.
