Thiago Motta: ‘Juventus need more from the strikers’ | OneFootball

Thiago Motta had harsh words for Juventus forwards after a dismal 0-0 draw with Club Brugge in the Champions League. ‘We didn’t create enough and I want more from the strikers.’

The Bianconeri had hoped that Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Milan in Serie A had seen them turn a corner, but it was back to the usual problems in Brugge with this dire stalemate.

Once again, they dominated possession, but hardly created any real scoring opportunities save for Nico Gonzalez tripping over the ball, a Teun Koopmeiners header wide and save on Manuel Locatelli’s long-range effort.

“All the teams who have come here had problems against a side that defends very well and clams up. We didn’t suffer, but we also didn’t create enough to win the match,” Thiago Motta told Sky Sport Italia.

“It’s a pity, because we could’ve done better this evening, with all due respect for this team which had in other games scored on the counter-attack and then defended well to avoid letting their opponents back into the match.

“They had very few scoring opportunities, they played the entire match waiting for us to make a mistake.”

Thiago Motta lambasts Juventus forwards

epa11843160 Nicolas Gonzalez (R) of Juve in action in front of goalkeeper Simon Mignolet of Brugge during the UEFA Champions League league phase match between Club Brugge KV and Juventus FC, in Bruges, Belgium, 21 January 2025. EPA-EFE/OLIVIER MATTHYS

This was a direct head-to-head for position in the Champions League table, because there is only one point separating Juventus on 12 now from Club Brugge on 11.

A victory here would’ve been a huge step up the standings, but now they will battle to keep hold of top seeded status in the play-offs.

“Finally, we are starting to get some players back from injury, above all in attack,” continued Thiago Motta.

“We started with Samuel Mbangula, Nico Gonzalez and Timothy Weah, then Kenan Yildiz, Dusan Vlahovic and Francisco Conceicao came on. I will also add Randal Kolo Muani who will be with us in the League, these are all players who can give us something more.

“Our forwards are the ones who at the moment have to contribute more to the team.”

As well as having the best scoring opportunity of the game, Locatelli often dropped into almost the role of a central defender to cover the back four.

“It is a way of staying balanced, Manu understands the right moment to drop deep or push forward. I want to see more of the strikers, because they have the quality to do it. Samuel tried more today, he was close to the opposition area and tried to cause problems with dribbling, but the other five I mentioned, I want to see more,” added Motta.

Douglas Luiz had a rare start in midfield and did better than before, even if he hoofed a half-volley well wide in the first half.

“He is a player with superior technical quality, in good shape physically right now and did very well in recent matches. Everyone will get their opportunity to play, along with Khephren Thuram, Weston McKennie, Nicolò Fagioli, we have a lot of games and this means I can rotate and get the best out of all of them,” concluded Thiago Motta.

Juventus have played 29 competitive games this season and drawn 15 of them, winning 12 with only two defeats.