Juventus manager Thiago Motta has come under scrutiny following his team’s 2-1 defeat to AC Milan in the Supercoppa Italiana semi-final.
Motta’s pre-match comments, suggesting that winning is not an “obsession,” have sparked debate among fans and pundits, especially given Juventus’s storied history of prioritizing victory.
“I want to win; that’s why I chose this profession,” Motta stated before the match. “But today it’s not an obsession. I do everything I can to help my players. I am calm and convinced of the strength we have, both individually and collectively.”
These remarks were unexpected, particularly ahead of a crucial fixture against Milan. Juventus, known for their relentless pursuit of success, faced criticism after the loss, with some attributing the defeat to a lack of urgency and questionable tactical decisions.
During the match, Motta substituted striker Dusan Vlahovic, who had been underperforming but remained the team’s primary centre-forward, replacing him with Andrea Cambiaso. This move was questioned, especially as Cambiaso had been left out of the starting lineup.
Additionally, Motta initially kept Kenan Yildiz, one of Juventus’s most promising talents, on the bench, while Teun Koopmeiners, who has been experiencing a dip in form, played the full 90 minutes.
In his post-match comments, Motta acknowledged the team’s shortcomings. “We are not happy. We went ahead, we had chances to put the game to bed, and we didn’t do it. We have to improve in character; we have to react better to negative incidents.”
Juventus’s recent performances have raised concerns about the team’s direction and mentality. With a squad in transition, featuring numerous young players and a scarcity of seasoned leaders, Motta’s approach and statements are under increased scrutiny.
The club’s historic motto, emphasizing that winning is the only thing that matters, seems at odds with the current narrative, leaving fans questioning whether the team’s traditional winning mentality is being upheld.
