Pundits explain Motta’s troubles at Juventus: ‘Still don’t know how to judge them’ – Football Italia – March 10 latest

COMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 07: Juventus coach Thiago Motta looks on before the Serie A match between Como 1907 and Juventus at Stadio G. Sinigaglia on February 07, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Sky Sport pundits were almost at a loss for words at Juventus’s 0-4 defeat at home against Atalanta in Serie A on Sunday evening, but suggested that the team’s league position is not the only issue at the Allianz Stadium this season. 

Juventus were humiliated with their worst defeat at home in 58 years against Atalanta, as Mateo Retegui, Marten De Roon, Davide Zappacosta and Ademola Lookman stuck four past a sorry Bianconeri side, which puts a major dent in their Serie A title hopes. 

Pundits on Sky Sport’s Calcio Club analysed the Atalanta defeat, and believe that Juventus still do not have a clear identity under Motta eight months into his tenure, and that there are no real ‘guarantees’ to build on for next season. 

Pundits analyse Juventus issues: ‘Don’t know how to judge them’

Pundits believe that Juve are lacking in consistent performers, which some feel is down to Motta and his tendency to chop and change his starting line-ups. 

There were specific issues on the night against Atalanta, too, such as Juve being caught on the counter-attack, or the number of times La Dea were able to create a numerical overload. 

Faouzi Ghoulam noted: “Atalanta were very strong on the counter-attack. As soon as Yildiz lost the ball, there were eight layers on top of it. After the re-start, the Nerazzurri players made it five against two, and then against three, with Cambiaso struggling to get back into position.”

Beppe Bergomi added: “Atalanta made smart moves in my opinion. It might be the first time they play with two strikers. The third attacker, who is usually an attacking midfielder, was Cuadrado this time, who was often open. Juve attacked better on that side, so Gasperinin blocked off Cambiaso. 

“In addition, Atalanta went man-for-man, as always, but there were changes. Motta wanted to upset their plans with Locatelli as an attacking midfielder, but it didn’t work. Atalanta didn’t fall for it. On the contrary in fact, Gasperini’s team took advantage of it. Look at the goals: four against two, it happened a lot of times. Atalanta capitalised when Juve were emptied centrally.” 

Giancarlo Marocchi went into further detail about Juventus’s season so far under Motta: “The problem is that we are in March and we still don’t know how to judge this Juve team. There isn’t even one player who has done consistently well, there are no certainties to build on for next season. 

“They’re always changing, resetting hierarchies, which I think is the wrong thing to do in football. It’s not true when he says that all players are the same. 

“It’s okay to not have certainties in results, but the problem is that there is no place to start again from. You should have six or seven reliable players, instead we are in a position where there is nothing to play for except the league standings.”