La Gazzetta dello Sport detail how Juventus are set to change tactics and formation this season, with fans preparing for a season of constant change under new head coach Thiago Motta. The article outlines how the Italian-Brazilian tactician is known for his penchant for tactical flexibility and squad rotation, a trait that is set to define the Bianconeri’s approach in the coming months.
During his tenure at Bologna last season, Motta’s approach to team selection was nothing short of revolutionary. In 42 matches across Serie A and Coppa Italia, he fielded 42 different starting lineups. This strategy involved a staggering 126 changes to his team, averaging 3 alterations per match.
Motta’s rotations were not limited to minor tweaks. On several occasions, particularly around Coppa Italia fixtures, he made up to seven changes to his starting eleven. The areas most affected by these rotations were central midfield (24 times), fullbacks and wingers (20 times each), and central defenders (16 times). Even key players like Zirkzee, despite being crucial to Bologna’s playing style, were not exempt from this rotation policy.
Initially, it seemed Motta might deviate from this approach at Juventus. In the first three league matches of the season, he fielded an unchanged lineup in two consecutive games – a rarity for him, last seen during his time at Bologna in the 2022/23 season. This consistency was largely due to the late arrival of new signings and the extended breaks for players involved in summer international tournaments.
However, as Juventus enter a grueling period of six matches in 22 days, Motta is expected to revert to his trademark rotation policy. Players across all positions are likely to see their playing time vary significantly from match to match. The likes of Danilo, Savona, Cabal, Cambiaso, Gatti, Bremer, Kalulu, Locatelli, Thuram, Koopmeiners, Douglas Luiz, Fagioli, Conceicao, Yildiz, Nico Gonzalez, and Weah are all expected to feature prominently in this rotation system.
This approach means that no player in the Juventus squad can consider themselves a guaranteed starter. Motta’s philosophy is clear: every player must be ready to contribute, and the team’s tactical setup may change significantly from one match to the next.
