Juventus coach Thiago Motta has confirmed that seven players will be unavailable for their upcoming Serie A match against Atalanta. He also spoke about how the team is preparing for this important game against a strong opponent, especially after their recent winning streak in the league.
Juventus, currently fourth in Serie A, is set to play against Atalanta, who are third in the league. This match is a chance for Juventus to potentially tie points with Atalanta in the standings.
After losing to Napoli in late January, Juventus has been on a roll, winning five consecutive Serie A games against teams like Empoli, Como, Inter, Cagliari, and Hellas Verona.
Motta Discusses Juventus Absences and Strategy for Atalanta Match
In a pre-match press conference, Thiago Motta said he is pleased with his team’s current form. He announced the list of players who will miss the Atalanta game due to injuries. While Renato Veiga is back in the squad, Jonas Rouhi is a new addition to the injury list.
“We had a very good week of training. The players look ready and in good shape,” Motta told reporters. “However, for tomorrow’s game, we will be without Rouhi, Bremer, Milik, Cabal, Douglas Luiz, Conceicao, and Savona.”
Motta also mentioned that the team has been focusing on both their mental and physical preparation.
“Our focus is entirely on the upcoming match because we know we are facing a high-quality opponent. We need to concentrate all our energy on executing our game plan to secure a win,” he explained.
“We’ve been working on our physical condition, technical skills, and mental approach. We are aiming to perform at our best in this game. My approach is always to focus on one game at a time.”
Speaking about Atalanta, Motta described them as “a very unique team” because of their players’ characteristics and coach’s tactics. He noted their ability to adapt their marking during games and praised their attractive style of play.
Thiago Motta Praises Koopmeiners, Yildiz, and Juventus’s Recent Form
The game against Atalanta will be significant for Teun Koopmeiners, as he faces his former team. Despite some criticism, Motta has shown his support for Koopmeiners, especially after his €60m transfer in the summer.
“I believe Koopmeiners has been performing well. He has been a significant contributor to the team this season. Criticism is part of football. He played well and scored in the last match, and I am happy for him. He is a valuable player both on and off the field,” Motta stated.
“It’s a privilege to coach such a versatile and dedicated player. I hope he has a great game tomorrow.”
Regarding Yildiz, Motta said, “Kenan is progressing well and needs to continue developing in all areas. He is still young and has a lot of potential to grow, which he is aware of.”
When asked about his favorite win from Juventus’s five-game winning streak, Motta responded, “I don’t have a favorite because we always aim to win. Playing well increases our chances of winning, although sometimes you can win even without playing your best.
“Winning requires many factors to come together. We are expecting a unique challenge against Atalanta tomorrow and need to be fully focused. My priority is always to win the next game.”
Motta also expressed his respect for Atalanta’s coach, Gian Piero Gasperini: “He is an excellent coach, recognized nationally and beyond. Gasperini has already proven his capabilities. He is a complete tactician and has done remarkable work.”