Thiago Motta: ‘Napoli built for Serie A title, my players don’t dive’ | OneFootball

Juventus coach Thiago Motta insists Napoli are ‘built for the Serie A title’ so he wants to see his players helping each other during tomorrow’s big match at the Allianz Stadium.

Motta previewed Saturday’s home match against Napoli at a pre-match press conference on Friday.

“It’s a big game, with strong players on the pitch,” he said.

“We’ll see what we can do with our fans, facing the game with great awareness, respecting the opponent and playing our football.”

Federico Gatti sustained a minor injury during Tuesday’s 3-1 win over PSV in the Champions League, but he will be available for selection tomorrow.

“Fede is available, but only Conceiçao and Arek [Milik] will not be available tomorrow,” said Motta.

“All the others are available and can start. Fede trained well yesterday, and he’ll be in the group.”

Conte will return to the Allianz Stadium, but he will face his former fans for the first time. The Italian tactician worked with Motta as the Azzurri coach in the past.

“It was a great pleasure to work with Conte,” said Motta.

Thiago Motta: ‘Napoli built for Serie A title, my players don’t dive’

“It was an extraordinary Euro [2016]. We were eliminated by a strong side [Germany] at that moment. We were also a strong team, but in the end we couldn’t reach the target, but the rapport with Conte has always been fantastic.

“We focus on one game at a time. The next one is against Napoli, a good team built to win the Scudetto, as I’ve already said,” continued the Bianconeri boss.

“They won the Scudetto not long time ago with a playing style that was appreciated worldwide. We must follow our route and have a healthy ambition of improving. We must play a great game for us and our fans.”

Motta faced even more questions about Napoli and Conte.

“It’s about facts. Reality. Not long ago, Napoli won the title leaving a big gap behind them. And they didn’t only win. It’s how they won, how they played in Europe. Napoli are a very strong team,” he insisted.

“There have been changes, but they did so to aim for the Scudetto. It’s normal. We are aware that we’ll face a strong side.

“You are too focused on Conte and me,” Motta told a reporter.

“Tomorrow it’s Juventus-Napoli. Players are the protagonists and we hope that our footballers will show their worth as always, bringing the game where we want.

“We must work as a team. We must help each other when we don’t have the ball and press as a unit together. Don’t leave space between the lines where players like Kvara and others can go or reach Lukaku. We’ll always try to bring the game on our side.”

Dusan Vlahovic has scored two goals in five games this season. He seems fine technically, but does he need to improve mentally?

“It’s part of the ambition I mentioned before,” Motta replied.

“Dusan can improve as I can improve. Everyone can improve in everything, not only emotionally. The game is not about emotions, and there are many things that contribute to it. Dusan feels very well, we talk every day. He smiles, he’s available and positive. He put in an excellent performance in the last game, offensively and defensively, creating danger. I am happy with what he’s doing and he must continue like this.”

In December 2021, Motta was on the verge of being sacked by Spezia, but he saved his job with an unexpected victory away at Napoli. How much has he changed since?

“A lot. A few days have passed. It’s normal,” he said.

“Everyone changes and improves; it’s a continuous evolution. At that moment, we played an interesting game. I was struggling, and we were struggling as a team, and after that victory, things went well. Today, everything has changed. I coach another team, and we’ll compete against a strong side. We want to improve our playing style to get a positive result.”

Would he sign for three consecutive Scudetti, or does he hope to win the Champions League with Juve?

“I don’t have that piece of paper, and even if you bring it here, it will count as nothing. I don’t think about it. I think about today,” he replied.

“We trained very well. We put something more for tomorrow. I’ll spend my day here at the training centre to prepare something for tomorrow and prepare for the future. Luckily, my family will join me today. I haven’t seen them for a while. I’ll spend the evening with my daughters and my wife. I’ll rest and focus even more for tomorrow’s game. This is my life. Regardless of what happens, I’ll be happy anyway because I do my best every day, and that’s my biggest satisfaction.”

Motta has a lot of options in midfield. Could Teun Koopmeiners start alongside Douglas Luiz?

“Everything is possible, especially because we are talking about strong players. We’ll see tomorrow,” Motta replied.

“It’s part of my job. All the players are training very well. For the next game, I’ll field the fitter ones. Some players will start tomorrow, and others will start in the next games. I put much more focus on those who will play the next ones. We have strong players with different skill sets.”

A reporter asked Motta if he agreed with Conte’s recent complaints about ‘preventive fouls’ on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

“I can talk about my players only. Surely, my lads don’t go on the pitch to commit fouls. I can guarantee it. They always want to play football. Another important thing. My lads never dive; they always try to remain standing, play football, and respect the play,” he insisted.

“I talk about my players. I can’t say anything about other players. If you ask me a general question without mentioning anyone specifically, I’ve always defended the game. This means that dangerous fouls are not okay. Some time ago, there were dangerous challenges; now there is VAR, so it’s fixed. Time wasting is a talking point and something that has to improve. Diving is another thing. We went from one opposite to the other. From fouls that can’t exist in football to diving at any minimum contact, it becomes too theatric, and it’s not good for the game. We are all working to respect the game and make the fans enjoy football.”

Lastly, Motta admitted that he didn’t expect Daniele De Rossi’s sacking.

“Yes, it really surprised me. I texted him, but of course, it will remain private,” he concluded.