Motta Urges Vlahovic To Manage Emotions Following Champions League Frustration

Add as a preferred source on Google

Juventus secured a 3-1 victory against PSV in their Champions League opener, with head coach Thiago Motta urging striker Dusan Vlahovic to manage his emotions better when he doesn't score. Despite contributing an assist for Nico Gonzalez's goal, Vlahovic was visibly frustrated after missing two late chances, extending his goalless streak to three matches across all competitions.

Motta praised Vlahovic's dedication in training and acknowledged the striker's ambition to score. "Dusan always shows up in ideal conditions to train and play. I am happy with his work," Motta told Sky Sport. He emphasised that while scoring is crucial, Vlahovic should focus on other aspects of the game, assuring that goals will eventually come.

In the match, Vlahovic attempted four shots but only managed one on target. His individual expected goals (xG) tally was 0.71, slightly behind Gonzalez at 0.73 and Weston McKennie at 0.86. Despite not scoring, Motta highlighted the importance of Vlahovic's participation in the team's overall play.

Juventus have maintained an unbeaten record in their opening home games of the Champions League, winning seven and drawing three. Motta, who took over as coach in June following Massimiliano Allegri's departure, expressed satisfaction with the win but sees room for improvement. "Today I liked the concreteness," he said.

The coach noted that while they conceded a goal, it was not a major concern. He believes there are areas where Juventus can enhance their quality to challenge opponents more effectively. The team remains undefeated this season and looks forward to facing Napoli and Genoa in Serie A before meeting RB Leipzig in the Champions League on October 2.

Motta concluded by expressing optimism about Juventus' trajectory: "We started the competition well with a win and now we shall continue like this."