Manager Thiago Motta admitted that Juventus is not currently in the race for the Serie A title and stressed the importance of focusing on their development after securing a thrilling 4-4 draw against champions Inter Milan with two late goals on Sunday.
While trailing 4-2, teenager Kenan Yildiz came off the bench and scored twice to salvage a point for his team.
Motta acknowledged that his players have a long way to go before they can challenge for the Scudetto, as they were unable to dominate the game.
“At this moment, we are not in contention. We put in a solid performance against one of the top contenders for the Scudetto, alongside Napoli, who have kept their squad intact since a year and a half ago,” Motta told DAZN.
“Currently, they are ahead and capable of competing until the end for the title. Although today was a good performance, we must remain grounded.
“We will continue on our path, staying true to our principles and our process of growth. We will see what we are capable of when the time comes. I am being honest; I speak as things stand.”
Motta expressed conflicting feelings about the outcome, stating that he had hoped for a more positive result in terms of both gameplay and sportsmanship. He acknowledged that the first half was marred by unfortunate incidents but felt that the team had the opportunity to increase their lead and potentially win the match. However, Motta emphasized the need to analyze why the team performs well in certain situations but struggles against opponents’ tactics in others.
In regards to the substitution of Yildiz, a 19-year-old player who secured the draw, Motta defended his decision to initially start with Timothy Weah instead. He explained that he chose Weah for his ability to contribute effectively during transitions. Motta believed that Yildiz could provide different options for the team in the second half, whether as a winger, midfielder, or striker.
Motta acknowledged that the team has several young players and expressed confidence that they can perform at a higher level. He recognized that the absence of key players may have had an impact on the team’s performance but emphasized that it was not an excuse, but rather a fact.
