Thiago Motta: “Winning Without Playing Well Is Positive, But Tomorrow We Need More”

Juventus manager Thiago Motta addressed the media in a press conference ahead of his team’s crucial UEFA Champions League playoff first-leg clash against PSV Eindhoven. The match, scheduled for tomorrow night at the Allianz Stadium, represents a pivotal moment in Juventus’s European campaign as they aim to secure a spot in the Round of 16.

On the Importance of the Match

“This is an important challenge,” Motta began. “I don’t need to say it—you know it, we know it. It’s a big game, and we must give our maximum effort. The players are fully committed to being ready for these moments. Playing at home, we will try to control the game with intensity and dynamism, defending and attacking as a unit. It’s a complete match that requires us to reach our objective: qualification.”

On PSV Eindhoven

Motta praised PSV’s qualities, calling them “a young and courageous team.” He reflected on their previous encounter earlier this season, where Juventus secured a 3-1 victory. “They press well and have strong full-backs who join the attack effectively. Their midfielders can make dangerous runs forward. Tomorrow, we need to be prepared for every situation on the pitch.”

Reflecting on Juventus’s Resilience

Motta highlighted his team’s growth in resilience despite recent challenges. “We’ve seen this group improve significantly in handling adversity. In our last game, we managed to win without playing better than our opponents—that’s a positive sign of resilience. But tomorrow requires something different—a complete performance against a strong opponent.”

On Individual Performances

Motta singled out Koopmeiners for praise amid recent speculation about his form. “I’ve always been happy with him from day one. He trains hard, plays in multiple roles, and is growing. I’m very satisfied with his work so far.”

He also addressed Dusan Vlahovic’s role in the team and his future: “Dusan is doing very well—motivated and determined like everyone else. Whether he plays 95 minutes or 15 minutes, he knows it’s about quality over quantity during a season. We count on him for tomorrow and for the future.”

Tactical Focus and Team Mentality

Motta emphasized the importance of outworking PSV in every aspect of the game. “We need to do everything better than our opponent—determination, concentration, teamwork. Every player must raise their level for the good of the group.”

He also acknowledged the challenges posed by PSV’s attacking philosophy but remained optimistic: “They won’t sit back; they’ll attack—that’s their style. We need to be focused and surpass them in every phase of the game to achieve victory.”

On Injuries and Squad Depth

Motta confirmed that Cambiaso will be unavailable but expressed confidence in the depth of his squad: “We have many players who are training well and deserve to play, even if they don’t start. Those who come off the bench can lift the level of the team when needed.”

Final Thoughts

Motta concluded by expressing his optimism for tomorrow’s match: “We’re in a good moment as a team. Everyone is contributing, and I’m confident we can deliver a strong performance against an excellent opponent like PSV. To win, we need to earn it by doing everything right.”