UCL | Motta: there is great solidarity on the pitch

It is the eve of another UEFA Champions League fixture for Juventus, who face Manchester City tomorrow - Wednesday 11 December 2024 at 21:00 CET - at a sold-out Allianz Stadium.

Coach Thiago Motta and Kenan Yildiz spoke about the challenge against the English team on matchday six of the League Phase of the competition.

KENAN YILDIZ

“Tomorrow's match is a dream come true: it is one of those challenges that you have wanted to play since you were a child; the Champions League is a magical competition, I have worked so hard to be here and when I hear the anthem I get chills. Manchester City is a team with so many champions, like Phil Foden and Erling Haaland; it is an honour to play against champions like them. We have prepared very well for the challenge, it will be a big night for the team and for me, I will do my best. We are going into this from a draw but our focus is on tomorrow, we are united and excited to play this match.

My season? It's going very well, it's nice to play with players like Andrea Cambiaso who help me a lot; in football, however, you must always improve, in everything. I hope to continue growing and scoring lots of goals; Thiago Motta is a great coach, I’m happy to work with him, he is helping us a lot and I play where he asks me to play.”

THIAGO MOTTA

“It is a great opportunity for us to face a great club like Manchester City. We have prepared to give it our all in the game, carefully studying what we must do and what we must not do against such a huge opponent. I cannot pass judgement on their current situation, but this is a team that has proven their immense value over the years, so I have enormous respect for them and for their coach Pep Guardiola, for whom facts simply speak for themselves, as he has managed to win everything and consistently. Commanding the game is not just about possession but attitude: we know that Manchester City want to attack and keep the ball; we will have to defend well and show great quality when we have possession. There are many details to pay attention to but then you have to focus on the important things: for example, concentration in both halves, avoiding conceding space, especially between the lines. Then, at the end, we will weigh everything up and think about the table.

Tomorrow, those who deserve to play will play and obviously those who have been out for a while need more time. We are a young team and we can improve on every aspect of the game, but we are showing great character in difficult times and this is because there is great solidarity on the pitch. One example is Yildiz himself, who is prepared to do lots of different things.

I'm happy that the guys are back because they are the first ones who are unhappy to be out, and it's also good to know that they can give us a hand; having said that, I don't think our problems, when they exist, are due to injuries. John Elkann's visit? It was great and important that he came to see us yesterday.”

WATCH THE FULL PRESS CONFERENCE BY THIAGO MOTTA AND ANDREA CAMBIASO!