Juventus manager Thiago Motta has acknowledged that his team is not yet ready to compete for the Serie A title, despite a thrilling 4-4 draw against defending champions Inter Milan on Sunday. In a pulsating match at the San Siro, Juventus clawed back from a 4-2 deficit to secure a point, thanks to two late goals from teenager Kenan Yildiz. However, Motta was quick to temper expectations, stating that his side is still a work in progress and far from being in the title race.
The dramatic draw showcased both the resilience and the flaws within this Juventus team, with moments of brilliance mixed with periods of struggle. Motta’s comments following the game reflected his honest assessment of where the team currently stands and his focus on the bigger picture: growth and development.
Juventus’ Struggles Against Title Challengers
The match against Inter Milan was seen as a litmus test for Juventus’ title credentials. Inter, one of the favorites for the Scudetto alongside Napoli, were expected to dominate, and for large parts of the game, they did just that. Juventus found themselves down 4-2, and their inability to assert control for much of the game was evident. However, the late heroics from Yildiz provided a silver lining, allowing Juventus to snatch a point from what seemed like certain defeat.
Motta, speaking to DAZN after the game, admitted that Juventus are not yet ready to challenge for the Scudetto.
“Not at this moment,” Motta said. “We delivered a solid performance against one of the favorites for the Scudetto, alongside Napoli, but we’re still not in that conversation. Inter and Napoli are ahead of us; they have consistency and experience that we’re still building.”
RELATED ARTICLES:
- PSG Cruise to 3-0 Victory Over 10-Man Marseille to Stay Top of Ligue 1
- Di Lorenzo’s Late Goal Secures Napoli’s 1-0 Win Over Lecce to Stay Top of Serie A
Motta’s Focus on Growth and Long-Term Development
While Juventus have shown glimpses of their potential this season, Motta’s focus remains on the team’s long-term development. He emphasized that Juventus are still in the process of growth, and the current priority is sticking to their philosophy and improving game by game.
“Today was a good performance in parts, but we need to keep our feet on the ground,” Motta continued. “We’ll continue on our path, sticking to our ideas and our growth process. We’ll see what we’re capable of when the time comes. I’m being honest; I speak as things are.”
Motta’s realism contrasts with the lofty expectations often placed on a club of Juventus’ stature. His approach suggests a desire to build a sustainable project rather than focus solely on immediate results. While the draw against Inter Milan was a positive sign of the team’s resilience, Motta is not getting carried away, knowing that Juventus still have a long way to go before they can be considered serious contenders.
Kenan Yildiz: A Shining Star in Juventus’ Future
One of the key positives from the draw against Inter was the performance of 19-year-old substitute Kenan Yildiz. The teenager came off the bench and scored twice, rescuing a point for Juventus when all hope seemed lost. His contribution underlined the potential within Juventus’ young talent pool and Motta’s confidence in his youth players.
“Kenan can help the team in the second half by providing different options, whether as a winger, midfielder, or striker,” Motta said of Yildiz. “I chose Timothy Weah to start because he could offer something interesting for us in transitions, but Kenan showed his value with those two goals.”
Kenan Yildiz came on. Kenan Yildiz delivered. #InterJuve pic.twitter.com/j4pBIk4k33
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) October 28, 2024
Yildiz’s brace is a testament to the depth of young talent that Juventus possess. Motta’s willingness to trust these younger players in crucial moments is a sign that the manager is building for the future, even if the team is not yet ready to challenge for silverware this season.
Mixed Emotions After a Rollercoaster Match
While Juventus ultimately managed to escape with a draw, Motta admitted to feeling mixed emotions about the result. The game was a rollercoaster, with Juventus showing flashes of brilliance but also enduring long spells where they were second-best to Inter Milan. Motta acknowledged that there were moments when his team struggled, particularly in the first half when several incidents went against them.
“We sought something more in terms of both play and spirit,” Motta explained. “We wanted a different outcome after a first half filled with unfortunate incidents. Inter could have increased their lead, but didn’t. In the end, we could have won it. However, we need to understand why we perform well at times and struggle against the opponent’s game at others.”
Motta’s reflections on the game highlighted the inconsistency that has plagued Juventus this season. While the team can produce moments of quality, they have yet to find the consistency required to mount a serious title challenge. This inconsistency was evident against Inter, where defensive lapses allowed the opposition to take control, only for Juventus to fight back in the dying moments.
Looking Ahead: Juventus’ Path Forward
For Juventus, the 4-4 draw with Inter Milan could serve as a turning point. While the result itself was far from ideal, the team’s ability to fight back from a two-goal deficit shows that there is character and potential within the squad. Motta will be looking to build on this resilience as the season progresses, but he remains cautious about setting expectations too high.
With key players like Federico Chiesa and Dusan Vlahovic still finding their form, and the squad dealing with several absences, Juventus have yet to reach their full potential. Motta made it clear that the absences are not an excuse but acknowledged their impact on the team’s performance.
“It’s clear that the many absences may have had an impact,” Motta said. “It’s not an excuse, but a fact. We know we have young players, but we believe we can perform much better than we did today.”
The focus now shifts to how Juventus can build on the positive aspects of their performance against Inter while addressing the issues that have held them back. Motta’s pragmatic approach suggests that Juventus are in no rush to declare themselves title contenders. Instead, the emphasis is on steady growth, with the aim of becoming a more consistent and formidable team over time.
Juventus’ Growth Continues Under Motta
While Juventus may not yet be ready to challenge for the Serie A title, their 4-4 draw against Inter Milan showed that the team has the potential to compete with the league’s best. Thiago Motta’s realistic assessment of the team’s current state reflects his long-term vision for Juventus. With young talents like Kenan Yildiz stepping up and the team showing flashes of quality, the foundation is being laid for future success.
For now, Juventus will focus on improving consistency and continuing their growth under Motta’s guidance. As the season progresses, the team’s performances will reveal whether they can eventually join the race for the Scudetto. But for now, Motta is content to build patiently, ensuring that Juventus are ready when the time comes.
