Thiago Motta praises Juventus’ attitude in 3-0 Italian Serie A win over Verona
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Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic celebrates scoring their third goal in the 3-0 Italian Serie A win over Verona.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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VERONA – Juventus showed great team effort when they actively engaged in pressing the opponent, coach Thiago Motta said after they beat Verona 3-0 in the Serie A on Aug 26, praising his players for the job well done.
His side delivered another brilliant performance to move to the top of the Italian top-flight standings, after they beat promoted Como 3-0 last week in their season opener.
“You can see the group’s attitude from the way they press the opponent. They take risks but, if you recover the ball, it’s a big advantage,” Motta told DAZN.
“Congratulations to Dusan (Vlahovic), but also to all the others who applied good pressure allowing us to score.
“This phase of the game is important, we need everyone. Today our forwards worked hard and well, having this balance is very important because it leads us to play games like tonight’s.”
Brazilian Motta, a former midfielder who played for Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain, joined Juve only in June, signing a three-year contract.
He is off to a good start and he has Vlahovic to thank this time.
The striker scored twice to help Juve secure a comfortable victory. He put the team in front in the 28th minute with a low shot from around the penalty spot for his first league goal since April 19.
Defender Nicolo Savona doubled the lead for the visitors before the break, scoring with a header inside a far post.
Vlahovic then made it 3-0 from the spot in the second half, after Juve were awarded a penalty for Jackson Tchatchoua’s foul on winger Samuel Mbangula.
“A positive leader in the group,” Motta added of Vlahovic.
“He played for the team, doing a lot of movement and, above all, he is a player who knows how to score goals. I am satisfied with him, he must continue like this.”
The Serbian forward seemed relieved to have been back on target.
“We got the three points, I’m happy for Savona, for the team and for the fans,” he said.
“I was a bit unlucky with Como, but today the goals arrived and I’m happy with the attitude of the team. The results are the consequence of the work we do.”
The 24-year-old, who was the league’s second-best scorer last season with 16 goals and behind Inter’s Lautaro Martinez (24), had a series of chances against Como including a goal ruled out for offside.
“(Scoring was) definitely a dream, let’s hope we continue like this,” he added.
Juventus have now won both of their opening two Serie A games of a season for the first time since 2019-20.
Since their return to the top-flight in 2007-08, only once have they previously won their opening two league matches without conceding, doing so in 2014-15.
They next host AS Roma on Sept 1, while Verona travel to Genoa earlier that day. REUTERS, AFP
