Tonight, Juventus manager Thiago Motta has made notable changes to the lineup for their Serie A clash against Inter at San Siro, which kicks off at 17:00 GMT. After a disappointing Champions League loss to VfB Stuttgart, Motta is determined to refocus his team for today’s important league fixture. Here’s a closer look at Motta’s strategic decisions and his thoughts on how Juventus will approach Inter’s high-paced game.
Focusing on Inter’s Quick Counter-Attacks
With Inter’s transition game in mind, Motta emphasized the need for Juventus to stay vigilant against their opponent’s quick counters. “They’re a team that can turn defense into attack at great speed, recovering the ball and advancing in numbers,” he told Sky Sport Italia. Motta highlighted that Inter’s physical strength and pace could pose a significant challenge, requiring Juventus to remain attentive to those moments when Inter switches from defense to offense.
Despite recent setbacks, Motta noted that Juventus is ready to approach the match with intensity and precision, aiming to dictate play by focusing on “details” that could influence the game’s flow. “We’re fully focused on the task at hand, setting the Champions League loss aside to take advantage of the great atmosphere and execute our plan,” he added.
Lineup Shifts to Tackle Inter’s Strengths
The starting lineup has been adjusted to handle the specific threats posed by Inter. Kenan Yildiz will begin on the bench, with Nicolò Fagioli taking on the role of trequartista, while Tim Weah and Francisco Conceicao operate on the wings. Danilo steps into the backline to replace the injured Gleison Bremer. Motta acknowledged that player fitness factored into these choices, adding that both Timothy Weah and Kenan Yildiz are in shape, though Weah, back from injury, gets the nod to start.
The Juventus coach mentioned that Yildiz’s versatility would be beneficial later in the game, as the young player can be utilized as a forward or in midfield if needed. Weah, on the left wing, will be matched up with Inter’s Denzel Dumfries, a battle Motta hopes will open up Juventus’ offensive options.
Supporting Vlahovic in Attack
Striker Dusan Vlahovic has faced challenges in breaking through defensive setups this season, and Motta is looking to change that by encouraging a collective approach. Recognizing that Inter will likely adopt a deep defensive stance, he aims to connect the lines through vertical passes, providing Vlahovic with more opportunities to receive the ball in space.
“Our objective is to create the right openings for Dusan through team play,” Motta noted, focusing on moving the ball quickly and looking for chances to penetrate Inter’s lines.
