Thiago Motta on where Juventus must improve and why McKennie started | OneFootball

Juventus coach Thiago Motta insists the Bianconeri can still improve despite a 3-1 win over PSV in the Champions League and says Weston McKennie deserved to start.

The Bianconeri secured a 3-1 win on their 2024-25 Champions League debut on Tuesday. Kenan Yildiz and McKennie scored in the first half, while Nico Gonzalez found the net after the break.

McKennie started his first game at Juventus this season. He had been frozen out in the summer, but he was reintroduced before signing a contract extension.

“I like Weston, like all other players,” Juventus coach Motta told Sky Sport.

“It was his time to start today. It’s a good result for starting the competition. Now, we must recover for the next game. Weston is part of a strong group.

Thiago Motta on where Juventus must improve and why McKennie started

“The important thing is not my decision. This is my duty. I must field the best 11. I am happy for McKennie. Like all the others, he’s working to improve. The important thing is that the team won today.”

Dusan Vlahovic provided the assist for Nico Gonzalez but missed a big chance to score in the second half. The Serbia international has scored two goals in five appearances across all competitions this season, but Motta is not concerned.

“I don’t think it’s complicated. Dusan is always in the best condition to work and help the team,” he said.

“He didn’t score today, and strikers always want to score. They must have this ambition. He did well in many other things. We can do even more, but I am happy with his work. He must manage the emotional side, thinking there are many things to do on the pitch. Goals will come. The important thing is that he’s involved in the group, giving his best.”

Former Serie A star Luca Marchegiani asked Motta to clarify where Juventus must improve.

” I think today, almost during the whole game, we could do better when opponents had possession,” the coach explained.

“We did well at times but not during the whole game. We must raise the bar and be more consistent. The result is interesting for us. Now, we must recover and prepare for the next league game. We have an important match on Saturday.”

The Serie A giants have another home game coming up: on Saturday, they’ll host Antonio Conte’s Napoli. The Partenopei are one point above the Bianconeri in the Serie A table.