Thiago Motta on offensive production, Vlahovic and ‘surprising’ Juventus player

Thiago Motta insists he’s not worried about Juventus‘ offensive production and Dusan Vlahovic and admits Carlo Pinsoglio surprised him: ‘From the outside, I didn’t expect it.’

Motta visits his former club, Genoa, tomorrow as Juventus travel to Marassi for Serie A Week 6.

“It will be a challenging game like other Serie A games. We must play it responsibly and be focused on bringing the game to our side,” Motta said at a press conference on Friday.

“At Genoa, I had so many good moments, but others were not nice. It was still a privilege. It’s a club where I felt good as a player and coach. They’ve given me so much, and I am happy to return.”

Dusan Vlahovic has scored just one goal in six appearances this season and was subbed off at half-time during last week’s game against Napoli.

“He is working well, it’s important for a striker to have a team that builds from the back to put him in the best condition to score,” said the Bianconeri boss.

“He needs the team and the team needs him, he is doing well in many other things.

“It was a good week of work; we have given consistency to what we know and are trying to improve,” Motta continued.

“Shots from a distance are as important as other things, like creating goal-scoring opportunities. We can improve in everything, also in attack.”

Thiago Motta on offensive production, Vlahovic and ‘surprising’ Juventus player

Juventus have not conceded in Serie A yet, but have collected three consecutive 0-0 draws against Roma, Empoli and Napoli. Nevertheless, Motta is not concerned.

“I’m not worried, not at all. The attacking phase involves not only players but the whole team,” he insisted.

“We have taken the right path. We took a very important step forward against Napoli. We spoke about it internally. We want to keep the ball, and we took it away from a team with strong players, as they’ve already proved. We took the ball away from them, and this is an excellent thing to me. We must build on this to improve and reach the opponents’ box in the best way with strikers and players in the second line. We must create as a team.”

Federico Gatti was not involved against Napoli due to a minor ankle injury and became a father this week.

“Federico is doing very well, even better now, because he’s a very happy man today,” said Motta.

“Congratulations to him and his partner on the birth of Camilla; I think it’s a beautiful moment in people’s lives, which is the most important thing. In sporting terms, he is fit. He no longer feels pain in his ankle and will be part of the group. Francisco [Conceiçao] has a great desire, enthusiasm and quality. He trained with the team twice [after returning from injury], and it feels like he’s been in the group for longer. He is also available tomorrow.”

Juventus announced the contract extensions of Samuel Mbangula and Carlo Pinsoglio on Thursday.

“Two different cases. Samuel is a young guy who is helping us in the first part of the season. He must keep the same motivation as on the first days. He must continue like this. Carlo was surprising to me. From the outside, I didn’t see him like this.

“Today, I see a strong goalkeeper, a positive guy in the group and somebody who is not involved in games but always gives his best in training. This is a great example and gives me tranquillity as a coach because I am sure he’ll be ready when we need him. I am happy with the team because he is a strong goalkeeper who always trains at his best.”

Have Juventus been preparing something special for set pieces, given that they haven’t yet scored from free or corner kicks?

“No, nothing specific. We have players with this skill set in defence and attack,” argued Motta.

“For now, we have defended very well and we can score this way because we have strong players in this regard.

“We can continuously improve in defence and attack. It’s the right path because I see the goodwill and commitment I expect from a team. Game by game, training by training, always try to do something more.”

“Is the Scudetto a credible title for the Bianconeri?

“The target is to be competitive in every game,” insisted Motta.

“Today’s great target is to play tomorrow’s game. All the rest doesn’t count much. The only thing we can control is to prepare for games well, as we did this week.

“Like everyone else on the pitch, players always want to win. But there are many things to do to achieve victory. With our playing style and a common idea, that’s the only target. I’ve never seen anxiety in the team, and there won’t be. I see the right attitude, and we always want positive results. Sometimes, we get it, and sometimes, we don’t.

“Genoa know what to do. They are a tricky team to face, and we’ll put all our focus and energy into the game. The rest will arrive on time. Step by step, we’ll see where we’ll be in the key part of the season, which is the end, not now. We must think about today and do well tomorrow to get there.”

Motta and Juventus will reunite with Fabio Miretti tomorrow. The Italian midfielder joined the Grifone on loan last summer.

“He’s a player with great quality and physicality,” said Motta.

“He is a fantastic guy in the group who wanted more playing time and made this decision, which I think is correct, in a team that can give him the playing time he’s looking for. I always wish him the best because he is an excellent player and a fantastic guy. He deserves it.”

The Bianconeri coach even revealed the Juventus’ line-up for the Genoa game, announcing that Danilo and Nicolò Fagioli would start.