Live TMW
There Juventus dives into the Italian Super Cup, with the market in turmoil. Thiago Motta responds at a press conference from Riyadh. Live text by TMW.
12.10 – The press conference is scheduled to start at 12.30.
12.37 – The press conference begins.
It is also the match between Conceicao father and son. Will he field Francisco from the start?
“We’ll see if he plays or not, he’s motivated to do well both from the start and during the match. I think nothing changes for him, facing a great team is the only thing he has to do.”
Koopmeiners further back or as an under striker?
“He can play both roles and he has already demonstrated it, but he can also start from the bench and contribute in the match, like everyone else.”
For Juve, winning isn’t important but it’s the only thing that matters. For a young group, how important can it be to win an “easy” trophy because it is short-lived?
“First of all, I have never seen a team enter the field to lose. Tomorrow is a different competition, because we are facing a match where you continue or go out. We will give our best to move forward.”
Francisco Conceicao defines his as a free kick. Do you expect a lighter Milan from your father?
“Francisco has freedom in a context where he must respect certain things, for the team to function. It’s a collective game, there is freedom in some moments to be able to express all his qualities but then there are many things to respect. Milan is a great team team with good players, with a coach who arrives now and who can do well. We will give our best on the pitch.”
As a player he won eight super cups. Does this experience count?
“These are good games to play, we want to stay and compete at this level. We don’t have a player who doesn’t want to get on the pitch to express his football. They are beautiful moments and must be lived in the right way, the emotional part must be under control.”
What do you expect Milan to do after the change of coach?
“We will certainly be ready because we know what we have to do against a great team, used to important competitions. What will count is what we are and not what they are.”
What should make the difference tomorrow?
“In the end, in a football match everything makes the difference, starting from the small details: as I said before we will have to be focused and determined to be the best version of ourselves, to improve what didn’t work and give continuity to what that we did well.”
At what point is Yildiz in his growth journey?
“At the beginning, he is a young player, 19 years old. He manages to do important things, because he has great qualities, he must continue to grow and learn to do what the coach says, also taking advantage of the many positive examples. One is Locatelli : his way of communicating with his teammates is excellent.”
How much do you value your first title as a coach?
“I want to win as a coach, that’s why I chose this profession. But for me today it’s not an obsession, I have to be calm and convinced of our strength. Tomorrow we have a beautiful match with respect towards the opponent and the desire to impose our game”.
What do you think of Tomori?
“I’m not talking about other people’s players, I’m talking about mine. I spoke collectively, Milan have many strong players and it’s clear to everyone. I’m answering about my players, not about others.”
What reception did you receive?
“Thank you for the welcome, we are in an excellent place to do our job and we can’t complain. The change in Milan’s coach will clearly bring something new, they already had a great coach for whom I have respect. We are ready for anything , that’s the most important thing.”
Are you following the Saudi championship?
“He is certainly growing a lot, I can’t give an in-depth opinion because I haven’t followed many matches. But he will certainly grow quickly.”