Thiago Motta: ‘Calm because I know dynamics’ around Juventus | OneFootball

Thiago Motta keeps Juventus fans guessing on his tactics against Fiorentina and insists he is ‘calm because I know the dynamics that exist in football’ around criticising coaches.

It kicks off at the Stadio Artemio Franchi at 17.00 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s five Serie A games on the Liveblog.

The Bianconeri are still shaken by the humiliating 4-0 home defeat to Atalanta, which not only ended any Scudetto talk, but left them needing to defend fourth place from the chasing pack.

Before that, Juve had won five Serie A games in a row, so are hoping to recapture some of that form for this trip to old rivals Fiorentina.

“We knew that the race for the Champions League places was going to be tough, but we must focus only on ourselves, because we have an important match against a strong opponent coming off a good win in Europe,” Thiago Motta told Sky Sport Italia.

“We must fight hard and play good football.”

Thiago Motta keeps Juventus and Fiorentina guessing

BERGAMO, ITALY – JANUARY 14: Khephren Thuram of Juventus FC in action during the Serie A match between Atalanta and Juventus at Gewiss Stadium on January 14, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

Douglas Luiz is the only remaining injury absentee, along with the long-term cases Gleison Bremer, Arek Milik and Juan Cabal.

However, there are suggestions Juventus are set out with a 3-5-2 formation this evening, something the coach shrugs off.

“There is no change of system, the important thing is to have the right approach over the whole 90 minutes,” replied Thiago Motta.

“My choices are purely for the good of the team. I have faith in all my lads. When you are coming off a defeat, there is always some anger and we have the chance to show what we are worth today.”

Is the tactician trying to bring a sense of calm to the Juventus environment after a week of heavy criticism in the media?

“I hope so. I am calm because I know the dynamics that exist in football. We coaches are always going to be debated and discussed, it has always been like that and always will. The only coach who isn’t under discussion at the end of the season is the one who wins the Scudetto.”

What does Thiago Motta expect to see from his team this evening?

“I want to see a side that is courageous, intelligent and plays collectively. We will have difficult moments and that is when I want to see the right reaction.”