Motta: 'We Defeated Manchester City with Heart and Soul'
Juventus manager Thiago Motta expressed immense pride in his team's spirited performance following their 2-0 victory over Manchester City, highlighting the collective effort and strategic execution that led to the triumph.
In a significant UEFA Champions League encounter, Juventus secured a 2-0 win against Manchester City at the Allianz Stadium in Turin. The goals came from Dusan Vlahovic and substitute Weston McKennie, marking a pivotal moment in Juventus's European campaign.
Post-match, manager Thiago Motta lauded his squad's dedication, stating, "We won with our heart and soul, but also by playing intelligently and fulfilling our duties correctly. We knew beforehand that we would need to defend deeper than usual, but we did it collectively as a team."
Motta emphasized the importance of cohesive play, adding, "In attack, we also had to operate as a unit, striking at the right moments, and that's exactly what we accomplished." He acknowledged the contributions of returning players from injury, noting, "This victory is well-deserved. The players performed admirably, and the return of several from injury showcases the excellent work of our medical staff in preparing them."
Highlighting the impact of substitutes, Motta remarked, "Those who came off the bench made significant contributions." Specifically, on Weston McKennie's performance, he commented, "Weston can do everything. He possesses unique physical attributes and excellent technique. He knows when to make those crucial runs. We're fortunate to have players of his caliber, as he can adapt to various positions during a match."
Reflecting on the challenge posed by the Premier League champions, Motta observed, "This game was very different from our match against Leipzig. We had to defend more deeply, but the key was to attack in numbers when regaining possession, bringing many players into the box to support Dusan, who can make a difference in the penalty area, as he did today."
Addressing the team's evolving identity, Motta concluded, "Every game is different. We can play more openly against teams with very different characteristics from Manchester City. The feeling we had tonight was probably our best of the season because we were here with our fans and felt incredible after the win."