Yahoo Sports Ex-Juventus star feels new signings will help Douglas Luiz, but Italy midfielder ‘reborn’
Juventus legend Vladimir Jugovic is convinced that Khephren Thuram and Teun Koopmeiners’ physicality will help Douglas Luiz on the pitch even if Manuel Locatelli seems ‘reborn’ under Thiago Motta.
Juventus have collected seven points in the opening three Serie A games under Motta.
The Bianconeri beat Como and Hellas Verona 3-0 and were held to a goalless stalemate by Roma at the Allianz Stadium before the break.
One of their biggest summer signings, Douglas Luiz, started three games on the bench, but ex-Juventus midfielder Jugovic feels the Brazilian star will soon get regular playing time.
“Rabiot is a significant loss, and I am surprised to see him among the free agents still available. Juventus have changed a lot in the middle. It’s a revolution that I like on paper. But you know how it works,” he told Gazzetta.
Ex-Juventus star feels new signings will help Douglas Luiz, but Italy midfielder ‘reborn’
“There’s a transfer market for the money and one for the pitch. Sometimes, they match, and sometimes, they don’t.
“It’s a general thing. It’s too early to judge, one way or another. Douglas Luiz can’t be questioned technically, but the mentality makes the difference at a top club,” he continued.
“It allows you to push for more, even after victories. I don’t know Douglas Luiz personally, and I think nobody knows better than Thiago Motta how to manage the Brazilian midfielder who comes from a foreign league.”
Why hasn’t the Brazilian started yet, then?
“I feel Thiago is protecting Douglas Luiz while waiting for the take-off regarding physical shape,” explained Jugovic.
“You must be at your best to play at Juventus. It worked this way during my time and will always work as such.
“Thuram and Koopmeiners’ physicality will be precious for Douglas Luiz and the whole team. It’s not easy to keep Locatelli out right now, he seems reborn. It’s his merit, and perhaps the current playing style suits him better.”
Locatelli started three games from three but it was not enough to earn a spot in the Italy squad for September games against France and Israel.
“Motta achieved a historical result at Bologna, but he’s debuting at a top club. I like him, but this is not enough at Juventus,” continued Jugovic.
“Time does not exist at Juventus. If you win, it’s a positive season; if not, it isn’t. Thiago Motta has interesting ideas. After all, most of the best coaches used to be midfielders: Guardiola, Xabi Alonso, Ancelotti, Conte, Zidane. Deschamps.
“When you play in the middle, you have a different vision and bring it to the bench. I made a different decision, and it’s okay. Right now, I am having fun with chess.”
Inter have also earned seven points in the opening three games, and Jugovic, who also played for the Nerazzurri, feels that Simone Inzaghi’s boys are still favourites for the Scudetto.
“Inter are favourites. They have the same coach, and the team and the playing style are reliable. I expect Juventus to fight until the end. It will be a great season because Conte doesn’t participate just for the sake of it. Antonio will bother them, and he has already won one Scudetto with Lukaku at Inter,” he concluded.
