Juventus coach Thiago Motta has confirmed that six players will miss Sunday’s Serie A game against Monza, with Andrea Cambiaso’s availability still uncertain.
The Bianconeri, aiming to bounce back from inconsistent results, face Monza in what promises to be a challenging away fixture. Speaking during Saturday’s pre-match press conference, Motta emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and delivering a strong performance.
Key players Gleison Bremer, Juan Cabal, Arkadiusz Milik, Jonas Rouhi, Timothy Weah, and Douglas Luiz are all ruled out. While Cambiaso remains under assessment, Motta is reluctant to take unnecessary risks.
“I could even bring Douglas [Luiz], but I want everyone to be fully fit,” said the coach, hinting at a potential return for the next match.
Juventus’ form has been unpredictable, with high-profile victories like their Champions League win over Manchester City overshadowed by frustrating domestic draws against Lecce, Venezia, and Cagliari.
Motta remains optimistic, focusing on immediate improvements: “I want a big performance; the rest belongs to the past. We must attack the spaces and use our quality to create chances and finalize attacks.”
Manuel Locatelli’s deployment as a center-back during the recent 4-0 Coppa Italia win against Cagliari demonstrates Motta’s adaptability. “Manu can adapt to many things. I know he’s a central midfielder, but he’s convinced about helping as a center-back when needed,” explained the coach.
Nico Gonzalez and Kenan Yildiz have also been pivotal, with Gonzalez scoring midweek and Yildiz showcasing versatility in multiple attacking roles. Motta praised both players for their contributions and flexibility, signaling confidence in their ability to adapt as required.
Despite being unbeaten, Juventus’ 10 draws in 16 matches have left them nine points adrift of Serie A leaders Atalanta. Motta remains focused on the immediate task, saying, “I’ll make assessments at the end of the season. For now, I am just focused on Monza.”
Juventus will look to close the gap on the league leaders with a victory this weekend, hoping their remaining squad can rise to the challenge despite the absence of key players.
