Thiago Motta admits Juventus deserved ‘more’ boos after Coppa Italia exit | OneFootball

Thiago Motta continued criticising himself and the team during a post-match press conference last night, saying that Juventus deserved even ‘more’ boos from their fans: ‘They were kind.’

Juventus suffered a shocking Coppa Italia loss to Empoli on Wednesday night, facing elimination in the quarter-finals.

Juventus coach Thiago Motta had been pretty harsh on the team during a post-match interview with Sport Mediaset, and the mood didn’t change during a post-match press conference.

“There is no explanation. It is certainly my responsibility. I am ashamed to see my team play like this,” he said via Ilbianconero.com.

“I am ashamed. Today, something basic like the right attitude was missing. I am ashamed, and it is impossible to find justifications for this. In the first half, we passed the ball to the goalkeeper 20 times, and when we lost possession, we just stopped. I apologise, and the people at the stadium were even kind. I hope my players can feel the same way.”

Thiago Motta admits Juventus deserved ‘more’ boos after Coppa Italia exit

COMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 07: Juventus coach Thiago Motta looks on before the Serie A match between Como 1907 and Juventus at Stadio G. Sinigaglia on February 07, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Motta was asked if he’d make the same line-up decisions again, but he reiterated that the starting XI was not the main issue.

“It’s always the same story, all nonsense. We lacked the attitude of a real team, and no one can say they gave their all,” he replied.

“In the first half, I have never seen one of my teams play like this. Before criticising the players, I am criticising myself because I failed to convey the importance of playing a match at this level.”

Juventus players left the pitch amid boos from the home fans, but Motta argued that he and his players deserved even more.

“I respect the fans, who were kind to all of us. We deserved much more. It is not a good feeling. It’s a terrible one. The expectation in a team like ours is to win; today, that was not the case. We completely messed up the match.”

Juventus’ next game is against Hellas Verona in Serie A on Monday, March 3.

The Bianconeri have already been eliminated from the Coppa Italia and the Champions League this season and fight for a top-four finish in Serie A.