Juventus suffered a 3-1 defeat to PSV in the Champions League knockout playoff, leading former coach Fabio Capello to analyze the key weaknesses in their performance. According to the Italian tactician, the Bianconeri struggled to cope with the intensity of their opponents, particularly in midfield.
Capello expressed concern about how Italian teams are faring against high tempo European opponents. Speaking to Gazzetta, he noted that Serie A has taken a step back in this regard despite the progress seen in the previous season.
“This match once again showed how our league struggles to keep up with the speed and pressing of European football,” Capello remarked. “Even Milan and Atalanta, who were also eliminated, faced similar challenges.”
The former Juventus manager pointed out that while the team performed well in the first half by pressing effectively, fatigue became a major issue early in the second half.
“The first 45 minutes were promising, with Juventus applying strong pressure and keeping PSV away from their goal. However, as soon as the second half started, they looked physically drained. Within ten minutes, they were already struggling to keep up,” Capello explained.
Capello also suggested that Juventus coach Thiago Motta should have acted sooner to make substitutions and refresh the squad.
“He spent almost ten minutes discussing with his assistant before making changes. By then, the team had already lost control of the midfield battle,” he added.
Motta later defended his decisions, stating that the timing of the substitutions was appropriate given the game’s flow.
Capello identified midfield as the biggest issue for Juventus in their defeat, arguing that once they lost the ability to press effectively, PSV exploited the spaces left behind.
“Juventus’ problems became clear when they could no longer close down the opposition. This allowed PSV to dominate possession and push forward without resistance,” he noted.
He further suggested that bringing in a player like Thuram earlier could have added much-needed energy to the midfield.
Following this European setback, Juventus now shift their focus back to Serie A, where they currently sit fourth, level on points with Lazio. Their next league fixture is an away match against Cagliari on Sunday.
Motta remains under contract with Juventus until 2027, but securing a top-four finish will be crucial for his long-term future at the club.
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