In view of the Champions League away match at Aston Villa, Juventus also loses McKennie who becomes the eighth absentee for Thiago Motta. Only 14 movement men called up for Birmingham. Given Vlahovic’s injury, Weah should be deployed as a centre-forward, with Koopmeiners acting as an attacking midfielder behind him. Conceicao starts on the right wing.
Thiago Motta’s press conference: “Whether I would sign for a draw? I don’t know. I would like to see before asking, can I go too far, did he turn red when he spoke? I think that tomorrow we will face a great team, for a long time they have been playing well, they scored 9 points, playing in home with Bayern, we will be on the pitch with humility, determined to do our job, respecting our opponent as we have always done and giving our all.”
A comment on this new Champions League? Were you afraid that the bureaucracy might take away players?
“Let’s hope not, but I don’t think so. I like it. This makes us prepare for matches differently and this can only make us grow and improve. A team with a football culture or one used to playing differently, it’s just an experience in more, to see the level with many other teams. We are concentrated and focused on facing a great team in their stadium.”
What would you like to see tomorrow?
“Continuity in everything we have done so far. We had a very good performance against Milan. A team that with the squad they have at the moment, we controlled a lot of the game’s momentum, when we got forward we got there well with the group , not allowing us to restart where Milan is strong. On the counterattacks Aston Villa is dangerous, accustomed to facing similar situations, we must be solid lower ourselves, defend well Our goal, having the ball and using it well, we attack quickly, otherwise we attack in the right way, arriving with the right players, being very careful.”
Why all these injuries?
“It’s certainly not a coincidence and it certainly doesn’t just happen to Juve, but to almost all of them. Come in this evening and ask us why you would like to create a debate that isn’t needed this evening. There’s only one way to deal with it, which is as it were, continue on the same path, above all thinking of the good of the group, so that the group can function. Everything else is not the time.”
Why didn’t he bring some Next Gen kids?
“I don’t bring any boy because today bringing a boy to come with the team, knowing that tomorrow I won’t use him, is of no use to anyone. To be in our first team one must deserve it, out of respect for the boy, for the history of the club , I am calm and convinced.
What do you think of Emery?
“As always I tried to listen, to learn, to improve, to do what was asked in the moment. I certainly won’t discover his path, he has been at a high level for a very long time. He works with consistency, knowledge and competence and he is proving it in a team like Aston Villa that has been consistently competing in a difficult championship for some time. It is also for this reason that tomorrow we will enter the field with great humility, respect, determined to put in a great performance.”
What can Weah give you in attack?
“If Tim plays he will give a lot. If someone else plays he will give a lot too. I have great faith in the group and everyone will give a great performance.”
Is there a key word you’re telling the team?
“There isn’t one but there are many concepts. Commitment must never be lacking and we have had it from the first day of work in the training camp and we will carry it to the end, no matter how the matches go, the commitment must never be lacking. maximum commitment, it is not negotiable in here, both in the offensive and defensive phases, the summary of the game is that stuff there. We can analyze the transitions, but this is less possible to predict, but there is an offensive phase and a defensive phase, done well from everyone, is what we need this at the moment. Beyond the question about the captain, the important thing is that the boys are leaders together, understanding what the team needs at the moment. Even without the armband, they all demonstrated this at San Siro convinced that tomorrow it will be the same thing.”
Have you ever thought about a future in the Premier League?
“When I played I never had the chance, but in the end I am 200% satisfied with what I did as a player. Now as a coach I feel very good in the team I am in. They welcomed me very well, I feel good and I see a important future in this team. We are definitely growing. I think of nothing other than doing well at Juventus. I don’t know, I see myself very well here.”
How is Koopmeiners?
“Even with the flu he’s great and he’ll play. Tomorrow he’ll definitely play. You already have a starting player together with Cambiaso.”
Have you studied anything about dead balls?
“Yes. Tomorrow will be an important match. Especially in attack they have unlocked games on set balls. We have to attack well and defend well in set pieces.”
At what point is the learning process of your game patterns?
“First we must not focus on my principles, it is Juventus’ game which must always be of a high level, it must compete with everyone else, even in a situation like we are going through. There is only one way: to give something more. We come from an equal at San Siro against Milan, we are doing well in the Champions League. We face an opponent who is doing well, they have 2 points more. Great respect, but tomorrow we will do our best.”
Are you calm or are you bluffing?
“I don’t bluff. I just said that I didn’t see the interview, maybe I’ll see it and understand if it was red. In my opinion Emery bluffed. But that’s my peace of mind. My state of mind is always positive. I have great confidence in myself and great faith in my players, they have great responsibility, they demonstrate that they have something more, they will demonstrate again regardless of the result match, in the locker room… No bluffing. I have faith in myself and the players.”