Thiago Motta responds to Emery’s Aston-Villa Juventus claim: ‘I’m not bluffing’ | OneFootball

Thiago Motta insisted that he is not ‘bluffing’ when it comes to the severity of Juventus’s injury crisis when asked what he made of Unai Emery’s claim that the Bianconeri are favourites against Aston Villa despite only having 14 outfield players available.

An injury-hit Juventus squad will face Emery’s side at Villa Park in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Motta has taken a squad consisting of only 17 players with him, which includes three goalkeepers and only 14 outfielders.

Leading goalscorer Dusan Vlahovic is out, Weston McKennie’s injury means that there are only four midfielders in the squad, while former Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz remains on the sidelines, as do Nico Gonzalez, Bremer, Juan Cabal, Arkadiusz Milik and Vasilije Adzic.

Despite their depleted squad, Emery said during his pre-match press conference that Juventus are still the favourites.

Thiago Motta responds to Emery ahead of Aston Villa-Juventus

“I’m not bluffing, Emery was the one who was bluffing in my opinion,” Motta said in response during his chat with the press.

“I’m positive because I have faith in myself and I have faith in my players. They have a lot of maturity and they will demonstrate it again. I’m not worried.”

Motta also had some nice comments to say about Emery, given that the two worked together for two years at Paris Saint-Germain.

“Like all the coaches I’ve played under, I’ve tried to improve and learn from them,” he said. “I don’t have to say anything about his career, he’s proving everything all over again in a team like Aston Villa.

“That’s why we’ll have humility and determination when we step out onto the pitch.”