Juventus manager Thiago Motta, shared his thoughts following the first leg of the Champions League playoff against PSV Eindhoven. The match, held at the Allianz Stadium, ended in a 2-1 victory for the Italian side, with goals from Weston McKennie and Samuel Mbangula, while Perisic scored for the Dutch team.
Motta described the game as balanced, noting that Juventus had improved in bringing more players into the box. “We need to attack the area more often,” he said. “We often did it without enough force. Today we did a bit better.” He emphasized the importance of making runs into the box, stating that it’s a topic of daily discussion within the team.
Looking ahead to the second leg, Motta acknowledged the challenge posed by PSV. “PSV has a clear, offensive philosophy and a good coach,” he remarked. “We’ll need a great performance in the return leg.”
When asked about Dusan Vlahovic’s attitude, Motta was positive. “He’s doing very well psychologically,” the manager stated. He also praised the impact of the substitutes, highlighting their importance in maintaining a high level of performance throughout the match.
Reflecting on the team’s progress since their Champions League debut this season, Motta noted, “Many things have changed compared to our season opener in the Champions League.”
Addressing his role within the team, Motta said, “I’m the leader of this team. I stand at the front, and I need to improve first. I want the same things from all the players. Attitude is the foundation of this work; everything else comes after.”
Motta also commented on the midfield situation, stating, “We have five midfielders of very high levels. At the moment, McKennie is playing more because he has different characteristics.”
