Juventus began 2025 on a disappointing note, suffering a 2-1 defeat to AC Milan in the semifinals of the Supercoppa Italiana. The loss has placed head coach Thiago Motta under intense scrutiny from fans and analysts alike, particularly regarding his tactical decisions during the match.
The match saw Juventus take an early lead, but they were unable to maintain their advantage after Motta made controversial substitutions. Former Juventus midfielder Alessio Tacchinardi was particularly vocal in his criticism, stating, “The Juve lost because Thiago Motta does not have the obsession to win matches. Once again, we saw a Juve in control for 60 minutes, before a lapse allowed the opponents to come back. Juve plays, controls, dominates, but often throws away their advantage.”
Adding to the criticism was journalist Sandro Sabatini, who echoed Tacchinardi’s sentiments regarding Motta’s choices. “Motta removed Mbangula, who was the best on the pitch, and Vlahovic. He essentially prevented himself from recovering the game. You cannot play without a center forward. Motta’s substitutions are difficult to understand and explain. What helped Milan win? It’s a mix of luck and errors from the opponents. The penalty came from a mistake by Locatelli, and the second goal resulted from unintentional errors by Gatti and Di Gregorio. In the midst of that, a substitution created uncertainty within the team. When Mbangula and Vlahovic leave the pitch, it’s hard for the team to maintain a positive sense; it becomes a team that reflects Vlahovic’s absence.”
