Juventus Seeks Redemption Against Cagliari After Champions League Exit

Cagliari, Italy — After a disappointing exit from the Champions League, Juventus manager Thiago Motta is looking to refocus his team as they prepare for their Serie A match against Cagliari on Sunday. Juventus lost 3-1 to PSV in Wednesday’s playoff, which meant they bowed out of the tournament with a 4-3 aggregate score. Currently, Juventus ranks fourth in Serie A, holding 46 points from 25 matches, ten points behind the league leaders.

“After such a disappointment, the best thing is to get on the pitch and play,” said Motta during a press conference. “We know the difficulties, and we have to try to win.” The manager emphasized the importance of moving past the recent setback, stating that the team needs to be smart and focused on the upcoming busy schedule.

Italian media sources reported that Motta had a candid discussion with the team following their Champions League defeat, urging for greater intensity on the field. “They understand everything, and we give the maximum effort,” he remarked. “The players are smart and capable; they know what we want. Sometimes, even without a huge difference, the opponent was superior.”

In their recent encounters against Cagliari, Juventus has not felt the same sting of defeat. The last time the two teams met in a Coppa Italia match in December, Juventus triumphed with a commanding 4-0 victory. However, their previous two Serie A contests ended in draws.

<p“Many games have passed and we have faced Cagliari both in the league and in the Cup,” Motta said. “It is a very complicated pitch, and it has been like that for all the teams. At the same time, we have confidence that we can put them in trouble to take the three points and move on.”

Motta also commented on the recent adaptation of winger Timothy, who has taken on a more defensive role due to team injuries. “I see him very well in this role. He defends well, is aggressive and wins a lot of duels,” Motta noted. “He can improve in that role and brings us a lot in the offensive phase. I’m very happy with Timothy, then you can score goals so that’s a plus.”

As Juventus gears up for their match against Cagliari, the stakes are high, not only for three crucial points in the standings but also for the team’s morale following their European disappointment.