Thiago Motta’s expression in the post-match press conference said it all disheartened, devoid of energy, and lost in thought. It was his first ever elimination from the UEFA Champions League, a bitter moment that undoubtedly stung deeply.
His vision, his strategies, and the players he handpicked for Juventus were all part of a grand plan. Yet, his team fell short, and he was the first to acknowledge that they were “not capable of competing for the full 95 minutes.” His words now define the situation at Juventus.
The defeat against PSV Eindhoven has reshaped expectations for the club this season. Motta, once seen as a rising force in coaching, now faces increasing scrutiny. A few weeks ago, momentum was on his side, with four positive results in a row.
But after failing to capitalize on a direct qualification spot for the Round of 16, followed by squandering a favorable position in the second leg, doubts are emerging. This Juventus squad appears incomplete young, promising, but missing a vital spark.
Motta’s defensive strategies have now come under fire. While some see the first half as a solid foundation, others cannot look past the collapse in the second. The question lingers: should Juventus really attribute their loss to inexperience when facing PSV Eindhoven?
When asked about his substitutes’ impact, Motta was candid: “Did I expect more from them? Yes, I expected more overall.” His tactical decisions did not bear fruit, and his game management raised concerns.
Dusan Vlahovic nearly secured a decisive goal but fell short, Kenan Yildiz failed to make an impact, and Marcus Thuram showed flashes of brilliance but lacked consistency.
Ultimately, the biggest takeaway from this disappointing exit is that Juventus, as a club, must grow—on all levels. From the players to the management and coaching staff, progress is necessary. The real challenge now is whether Juventus will have the patience and resilience to rebuild after this setback.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login