Pressure mounts on Motta after Juventus’ slack Supercoppa display | OneFootball

Juventus’ lack of ruthlessness and character in the Supercoppa Italiana semifinal are considered the most worrying signs of a side that is failing to show significant improvement six months after the appointment of their new coach.

Criticism towards Thiago Motta has arguably reached its peak since he took over Massimiliano Allegri in the summer, as both sports outlets and fans on social media are highlighting his inability to craft a team that can perform consistently.

epa11804150 Juventus’s head coach Thiago Motta gestures during the Supercoppa Italiana semi-final match between Juventus FC and AC Milan, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 03 January 2025. EPA-EFE/STR

Media and fans slam Thiago Motta’s Juventus after Supercoppa defeat

With 11 draws from 18 Serie A draws already putting pressure on the Bianconeri ahead of their first chance of the season to compete for a trophy, a lacklustre display against Milan confirmed they keep ‘throwing away matches they seem to have won’, as pointed out by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The pink newspaper described them as an ‘ailing’ team, stressing how they constantly fail to kill off matches and struggle to hold onto a lead, especially when they’re ahead by just one goal.

La Repubblica wrote that Juventus ‘lack character’, which is exactly what their coach admitted in the aftermath of a game which saw them go ahead and waste chances of doubling their lead before suddenly crumbling and failing to react when Milan scored twice through a penalty and an own goal.

epa11804086 AC Milan’s Ismael Bennacer (L) in action against Juventus’ Manuel Locatelli (R) during the Supercoppa Italiana semi-final match between Juventus FC and AC Milan, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 03 January 2025. EPA-EFE/STR

Tuttosport gave Motta a rating of 4.5 following his Supercoppa defeat, claiming his Bianconeri side can’t show ‘aggressiveness’, while Corriere della Sera labelled their display ‘a total flop’.

While the coach’s position is still more than safe, pressure is undoubtedly mounting on him to turn things around, as many fans on social media are already making comparisons with his predecessor Allegri, whose football was considered less entertaining but more effective than Motta’s, which is what the Old Lady would need now.

Juventus currently sit sixth on 32 points in Serie A, and are currently out of the Champions League’s top eight, which would ensure them a place in the round-of-16, although there are still two games remaining.