Thiago Motta’s tenure at Juventus has begun with mixed results, prompting a need for balanced judgment without hasty comparisons to his predecessor, Max Allegri. Calciomercato report that while the team’s current points tally (9 from 5 games) surpasses Allegri’s first season in his second stint, a broader perspective is necessary to evaluate Motta’s impact.
Motta’s approach, similar to his time at Bologna, has yielded both positive and challenging outcomes. The team has secured large victories against Como, Verona, and PSV, conceded only one goal in six official matches, and shown faith in young players. However, Motta’s decisions to keep certain players on the bench until deemed ready (notably Douglas Luiz) and make surprising substitutions (like Vlahovic at halftime against Napoli) have raised eyebrows.
The current run of three consecutive 0-0 draws mirrors Motta’s early days at Bologna last season, suggesting a consistent philosophy that the club has chosen to embrace. Sporting Director Cristiano Giuntoli fully supports Motta’s methods, emphasizing the need for patience and understanding from fans.
However, questions arise about the squad’s adequacy, particularly in attack. The summer transfer market, while largely successful, left some gaps unfilled. The most glaring issue is the lack of a proper backup for Vlahovic, who is currently the only available center-forward. Arek Milik, the other striker in the squad, is still recovering from injury and isn’t expected to return until after the October international break.
