Socrates

É una partita rischiosa in effetti. L'Udinese in casa le ha vinte tutte tranne che contro l'Inter con cui ha perso.

É un difensore centrale spagnolo dell'Under-19 (non della Next-Gen dunque) della Juventus. Ha 18 anni ed é alto 1,92.

Serie A Preview: Udinese vs Juventus – Team News, Line-ups & Prediction Bluenergy Stadium is the venue as Udinese and Juventus go head-to-head in Saturday’s high-stakes Serie A encounter. Both teams stuttered in the first midweek round of the 2024/25 campaign and will look to get back on track this weekend. ............ Despite extending an unbeaten league run at the beginning of his tenure at the Allianz Stadium with a frustrating 2-2 home draw against Parma on Wednesday, that wasn’t the outcome Juventus had in mind before the kick-off. USMNT duo Weston McKennie and Timothy Weah spared Juve’s blushes as they had to fight back twice to avoid defeat against the newcomers. Motta’s propensity for sharing the spoils has seen six of Juventus’ ten Serie A matches this season end all square (W4). Therefore, they languish seven points adrift of table-topping Napoli at the start of this matchday, rendering this trip a must-win affair. Match Preview Udinese ............ Juventus After capitulating just once in the opening eight Serie A rounds, Juventus have conceded six goals across their last two league fixtures, including a memorable 4-4 draw against Inter on their most recent league travel. It was only the second encounter in the Derby d’Italia’s storied history to produce 8+ goals. However, it was barely any comfort for Motta, whose men have gone winless in four of their last five outings in all competitions (D3, L1). Yet to lose on the road this season, Juventus’ away league games have fluctuated between draws and wins (W2, D2), a trend they’ll be keen to uphold on Saturday. Since they’ve won their last two top-flight meetings with Udinese on this ground without conceding, Juventus hope their solid past performances can help stabilize a defense that’s recently shown vulnerabilities. With Napoli relentlessly pursuing their second Scudetto in three years, a potential slip-up here would be a fatal blow for the visitors’ title bid. Team News ............ As for Juventus, Arkadiusz Milik, Paul Pogba, Nicolas Gonzalez, and Gleison Bremer remain unavailable for selection. But there’s good news for Motta. While Douglas Luiz is still recovering from a muscle strain, Teun Koopmeiners is back after a month-long spell on the sidelines with a broken rib. Udinese vs Juventus Potential Starting Line-ups Udinese (3-5-2): Maduka Okoye; Christian Kabasele, Jaka Bijol, Lautaro Giannetti; Kingsley Ehizibue, Sandi Lovric, Jesper Karlstrom, Oier Zarraga, Jordan Zemura; Iker Bravo; Lorenzo Lucca. Juventus (4-2-3-1): Michele Di Gregorio; Andrea Cambiaso, Pierre Kalulu, Federico Gatti, Juan Cabal; Manuel Locatelli, Weston McKennie; Francisco Conceicao, Teun Koopmeiners, Timothy Weah; Dusan Vlahovic. Udinese vs Juventus Prediction Udinese can be a thorn in anyone’s side at home. However, failure isn’t an option for Juventus, and we expect Motta’s team to pick up an all-important three points. We can also envisage a single goal separating the sides at full-time. Prediction: Juventus to Win . Read more -> https://cultofcalcio.com/serie-a-preview-udinese-vs-juventus-team-news-line-ups-prediction/

Former Parma star insists fans must be patient with Motta Juventus fans have become increasingly restless as Thiago Motta’s start to the season is marked by inconsistency, with a surprising number of drawn matches overshadowing their strong defensive record. ............ He introduced tactical flexibility and unpredictability to Juventus’s play, adapting lineups based on players’ form rather than a set formula. This adaptability looked promising, especially when Juventus managed to remain unbeaten despite a challenging schedule. Yet, as draws pile up — six in total so far — fans are starting to question whether Motta’s approach is delivering the progress they anticipated. ............ Yet, even with his fresh ideas, Juventus has dropped critical points in games that should have been winnable, including their recent draw against Parma. Although Juventus remains undefeated in Serie A, these results have stalled their position in the standings, where they currently trail Napoli and Inter Milan. Fans now worry that Motta’s rotation and lineup experimentation may be impacting consistency and leaving Juventus unable to find a winning rhythm. However, there are voices of reason encouraging patience. Parma legend Luigi Apolloni urged Juventus fans to trust the process, acknowledging that transformation takes time and warning against unrealistic expectations. Apolloni stated, “The fans want results right away, but it takes time. Today the quality in Serie A is still there. I don’t think we play too much, the games are more or less the same. It’s the pace that is more intense.” ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/former-parma-star-insists-fans-must-be-patient-with-motta/

Journalist accuses Juventus of overplaying the ball during matches ............ Motta’s hiring signalled Juventus’s desire to offer fans a more dynamic style of play while still competing at the highest level for trophies. However, the early months of Motta’s tenure have raised concerns, particularly as Juventus struggles to turn their possession into goals, resulting in a series of frustrating draws that have seen them fall behind Inter Milan and Napoli in the Serie A standings. The excitement around Motta’s appointment was grounded in his impressive tenure at Bologna, where his teams exhibited high-tempo, possession-focused football. However, Juventus fans, eager to see trophies return to Turin, are becoming increasingly concerned as Motta’s side appears to lack the clinical edge required to finish off winnable games. Despite playing a more attractive brand of football, the team has frequently overplayed, sometimes sacrificing direct, goal-oriented moves for intricate passing sequences that lack a decisive final product. This approach has resulted in a pattern of games where they dominate possession but fail to secure victories, leading to dropped points in critical matches. Journalist Paolo Rossi noted: “We have entered a phase in which every game can be won or lost with the same probability. But what is most evident is that we think much more about playing than about winning. So time slips away, in the game and in the season.” If Juventus is to challenge for the Serie A title, they must find a way to combine Motta’s emphasis on beautiful play with a more direct, goal-oriented approach. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/journalist-accuses-juventus-of-overplaying-the-ball-during-matches/

Should Juventus try the Fagioli-Mckennie midfield pairing against Udinese? Juventus faces a midfield selection challenge ahead of their match against Udinese, as injuries, notably to Douglas Luiz, have limited their options. With Teun Koopmeiners likely to start as an advanced playmaker in the number 10 role, manager Thiago Motta must select a defensive partnership behind him from a mix of midfielders, including Manuel Locatelli, Khephren Thuram, Weston McKennie, and Nicolo Fagioli. ............ Motta is leaning towards pairing Fagioli and McKennie in central midfield. This duo proved effective in previous games against RB Leipzig and Genoa, where their partnership contributed to Juventus’s fluid and balanced play. Both players offer significant creativity and drive, but they are generally more attack-minded, which could expose the defence, especially with Koopmeiners operating further up the pitch. The absence of a more defensive player like Luiz or Locatelli could leave gaps in the midfield, making it challenging to contain Udinese’s attacks. Motta’s choices in this match will be essential, as Juventus aims to maintain competitiveness in Serie A. With several key players sidelined, his tactical adjustments and ability to maximise the potential of available players will likely determine the outcome. If Juventus can find the right balance in midfield, they’ll have a strong chance of securing a win against Udinese. . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/should-juventus-try-the-fagioli-mckennie-midfield-pairing-against-udinese/

Motta knows why Juventus now concedes so many goals Juventus’s recent struggles on defence have underscored the impact of Gleison Bremer’s long-term injury. The Brazilian centre-back was instrumental in securing the backline early in the season, with the team managing to secure clean sheets and limit opponents’ opportunities. Since his absence, however, Juventus has faced defensive instability, most recently conceding six goals across two matches against Inter Milan and Parma. ............ Head coach Thiago Motta has acknowledged the need for defensive reorganisation, especially as Juventus prepare to face Udinese. ............ Motta stated, “We must do better collectively, be compact, help each other more. Regroup, be aggressive, leaving less space…and as little time as possible to counterattack and find spaces between the lines. Think about the play. Choose the best play. This is done as a team, each giving that little bit extra to not allow the opponent to feel comfortable on the pitch.” Motta’s strategic emphasis on collective effort and compact play aims to address Juventus’s defensive issues by encouraging tighter lines and increased support among players. His plan appears focused on disrupting opponents’ rhythm and minimising vulnerabilities, especially against Serie A teams capable of exploiting open spaces. This approach could help Juventus reduce the scoring chances of their rivals and put them in a stronger position to pursue trophies this season. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/motta-knows-why-juventus-now-concedes-so-many-goals/

Ex-Juventus player insists the current team is not showing signs of would-be champions Juventus entered this Serie A season with high expectations, aiming to challenge Inter Milan and Napoli for the title. However, their form has been inconsistent, making it challenging to stay in the running. Despite being tipped as potential title contenders, Juventus finds themselves slipping behind, unable to keep pace with Inter and Napoli, who have both shown strong early-season form. Currently, Juventus’ pattern of frequent draws and narrow wins has slowed their progress in the standings. They started the season showing flashes of quality, but recent performances have been defined by slow starts and defensive lapses, which repeatedly leave them trailing on the scoreboard. Former Juventus player Bruno Mazzia, expressing concern over this trend, commented on the team’s lack of cohesion and urgency. He remarked: “I don’t understand why they have to start slowly and go behind in the score every time, then the ambitions that are described in the newspapers are not respected: for the Scudetto, Juve is not destined to fight with the others until the end.” Mazzia’s remarks highlight the disconnect between Juventus’ projected ambitions and their on-field performances. ............ For Juventus to remain competitive, they must reverse their current trend by securing wins consistently, particularly against mid-table teams where they’ve tended to drop points. As Mazzia pointed out, Juventus must find a way to bring their team together as a cohesive unit and start matches with the intensity needed to impose their authority. Unless they manage this shift, the Bianconeri could fall out of the conversation for the Serie A title sooner than anticipated, making it crucial for them to turn things around quickly. . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/ex-juventus-star-insists-the-current-team-is-not-showing-signs-of-would-be-champions/

Preview: Udinese vs. Juventus - prediction, team news, lineups Having slipped further adrift of top spot in Serie A by drawing twice in three days, Juventus will aim to get back in the winning routine when they meet Udinese on Saturday evening. A battle of the Bianconeri will see Juve travel to Udine without a win in three matches, while their hosts threw away three points in Venice last time out. Match preview Former owners of the most solid defence in Serie A, having conceded just one goal in their first eight league games, Juventus have recently lapsed at the back; leading to a sharp downturn in results. After losing 1-0 to Stuttgart in the Champions League, Juve went on to ship four in a dramatic Derby d'Italia draw with Inter Milan, though their remarkable second-half comeback covered for some unusually shaky defending. In the continued absence of injured centre-back Bremer, the Bianconeri were exposed again on Wednesday, when promoted Parma found the net twice in Turin, requiring two levellers - from USA internationals Tim Weah and Weston McKennie - to salvage a point. Thiago Motta's men therefore fell seven points behind leaders Napoli, having ended yet another game all-square. Juventus have now drawn no fewer than 16 of 30 league matches in 2024 - that is more than any other club across Europe's top five leagues. In fact, one more stalemate on Saturday would see them equal a longstanding club record of 17, set back in 1956, but Motta will be intent on stopping that trend and securing maximum points. Ahead of their final two fixtures leading into the next international break - away to Lille and then at home to city rivals Torino - Juve are therefore targeting a 14th win from 18 league meetings with Udinese over the past decade. ............ Team News Juventus coach Thiago Motta may make a handful of changes to his team this weekend, amid a busy schedule, so Derby d'Italia star Kenan Yildiz and fit-again midfielder Teun Koopmeiners may be considered for starts. While long-term absentees Bremer and Arkadiusz Milik are unavailable, Nico Gonzalez is nearing a return and Douglas Luiz could be back in action after a thigh problem. Due to a lack of alternatives, Dusan Vlahovic - Juve's six-goal leading scorer in Serie A - is rarely rested and will continue to lead the line up front. ............ Udinese possible starting lineup: Okoye; Kabasele, Bijol, Giannetti; Ehizibue, Lovric, Karlstrom, Zarraga, Zemura; Bravo; Lucca Juventus possible starting lineup: Di Gregorio; Cambiaso, Kalulu, Gatti, Cabal; Locatelli, McKennie; Conceicao, Koopmeiners, Weah; Vlahovic We say: Udinese 1-2 Juventus It is not easy to get the better of Udinese on home turf - where they have lost only once this term, conceding less than one goal per game - but Juventus are due a win and have history on their side. The Turin giants have dominated this all-Bianconeri contest down the decades and have enough firepower to come out on top - providing they can keep the back door shut. . Read more -> https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/udinese/preview/preview-udinese-vs-juventus-prediction-team-news-lineups_556913.html

Journalist urges Motta to end the constant rotations Thiago Motta’s dynamic and unpredictable approach at Bologna made his team challenging to counter, as he frequently rotated players and adjusted lineups based on form and specific match demands. Now at Juventus, Motta has carried this philosophy forward, selecting players he believes are best suited for each match. While this adaptability worked well early on, Juventus has begun to struggle, with inconsistent results against teams they were expected to defeat, leading to criticism over his reluctance to establish a more consistent starting lineup. One of Motta’s vocal critics is journalist Fabio Ravezzani, who argues that Juventus’ experimentation period should conclude in favour of a stable and well-defined team. Ravezzani expressed his concerns: “It is clear that the period of experiments at Juve must end. We need to understand who is a starter and who is not with minimal rotation. Then we need to protect the defense a little more. Creativity is fascinating, but to win you need solid certainties. That’s all. Motta will learn, hopefully.” Motta’s rotational tactics were well-received initially, as Juventus’ unpredictability made it difficult for opponents to prepare against them. However, recent performances suggest that the constant rotation may be affecting the team’s cohesion, making it challenging to build chemistry and defensive stability. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/journalist-urges-motta-to-end-the-constant-rotations/

When Nico Gonzalez & Douglas Luiz will return for Juventus Juventus coach Thiago Motta will be looking to welcome back Nico Gonzalez and Douglas Luiz to the fold in the next few days. ............ Gonzalez and Luiz are also nearing their respective returns to action. ............ The Argentine winger should be available for next Tuesday’s Champions League contest against Lille. Motta’s troops will fly to France on Monday, and the 26-year-old is aiming to receive a call-up. The former Fiorentina star has been out of action since picking up a muscle injury in the away UCL fixture against RB Leipzig. On the other hand, Luiz could return even earlier than Gonzalez, reveals the source. In other words, the Brazilian midfielder is hoping to shake off his slight muscle problem ahead of Saturday’s Serie A contest against Udinese. ............ With Gonzalez and Luiz returning to the squad, Gleison Bremer and Arkadiusz Milik will remain the only absentees. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/when-nico-gonzalez-douglas-luiz-will-return-for-juventus/

Former Juve player insists Motta is meeting expectations so far Juventus’ inconsistent start to the season under new manager Thiago Motta has led to mixed reviews and growing criticism from fans, despite the team remaining unbeaten in league play. Motta, in his first season at the helm, has drawn attention for his fresh approach and new tactical ideas, which have earned him praise following certain games. However, the team’s struggle to convert draws into victories has raised questions about whether Juve is progressing or merely repeating last season's pattern, where they also had an excessive number of draws. ............ Following the Parma match, former Juventus player Davide Lanzafame defended Motta’s approach, urging patience and emphasising the progress made. Lanzafame said, “I really like his philosophy, I think the start of the season is in line with expectations considering a new team. There is a lot of room for improvement; Juventus remains one of the big teams that has the most. Starting from Yildiz and up to Savona and Mbangula. As a spectator, for me Motta is doing a great job.” Lanzafame’s comments highlight Motta’s youth-centric philosophy, with an emphasis on developing emerging talents like Yildiz, Savona, and Mbangula. This approach is meant to secure long-term success, even if the immediate results have been a blend of mixed outcomes and growing pains. However, for many fans, the frequent draws feel reminiscent of last season’s frustrations, making it difficult to see tangible progress. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/former-juve-star-insists-motta-is-meeting-expectations-so-far/

Damning figures prove Juventus defense is in free fall since Bremer injury At the start of the season, Juventus were envied for their resolute defense by their peers in Italy and Europe. Nevertheless, the situation has drastically changed following Gleison Bremer’s devastating injury. ............ With the Brazilian out of action, Thiago Motta has been left with a defensive department that contains Federico Gatti, Pierre Kalulu and Danilo. The coach was initially reluctant to play the club captain, but has been forced to do so in recent weeks. The 33-year-old poor showings at the back suggest the coach may have had a valid point when he decided to keep him on the bench. Last night’s Serie A encounter against Parma confirmed Juve’s vast troubles at the back, as they failed to contain Fabio Pecchia’s men who scored twice and could have added more. The Juventus backline also lost its serenity as showcased by Danilo’s comments following the second Parma goal which was caught on camera. “But where were you?!”, said the skipper while blaming Gatti for his absence. ............ When Bremer was still healthy, the club only conceded a single goal in seven matches across all competitions this season, a late consolation goal for PSV Eindhoven. On the other hand, the Bianconeri have allowed 10 goals in six fixtures following Bremer’s injury. This includes the four goals conceded in the thrilling Derby d’Italia against Inter, as well as last night’s two strikes scored by Parma. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/damning-figures-prove-juventus-defense-is-in-free-fall-since-bremer-injury/

Five issues Motta must resolve to rescue his first Juventus campaign After a promising start to the campaign, Juventus have been encountering some difficulties over the past few weeks. ............ Journalist Giovanni Albanese calls for Juventus and Motta to take immediate action to salvage the campaign before it’s too late. Albanese highlights five issues that have been haunting the Bianconeri, especially in recent weeks. First, the journalist urges Motta to rotate his starting lineup more often, as the team appeared tired both physically and mentally in the midweek contest against Parma. ............ Second, Juventus must find a solution to their injury woes. While suffering knocks (like Teun Koopmeiners’ fractured rib) remains unavoidable, the amount of muscle problems that Motta’s men sustained thus far this season has been worrisome. As for the third point, Albanese tackles what is arguably the most pressing issue for the club at the moment: The leaky defense. ............ The journalist then talks about the squad management which has been far from perfect. Andrea Cambiaso even admitted that the players were a bit lazy against Parma. ............ Finally, Motta must attempt to dispel the tactical confusion. While the team is showing promising signs at times, there are other occasions when they appear to be short of ideas. . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/five-issues-motta-must-resolve-to-rescue-his-first-juventus-campaign/

Thiago Motta Identifies Juventus Key Issue After Parma Draw Juventus lived up to their tag as ‘stalemate specialists‘ on Wednesday night, sharing the spoils with Parma in a goal-glutted 2-2 draw. It wasn’t the result Thiago Motta had hoped for before the kick-off following a breathtaking 4-4 stalemate at Inter last weekend. ............ After overseeing a sixth draw in ten Serie A outings this season, the new Juventus manager addressed the media with a damning verdict. “We’re allowing too many counterattacks to our opponents,” Motta said. “We were trying to provoke errors from the opposition, but instead we conceded goals. “When we have the ball in the final third, we need to manage it well,” the Juventus boss continued. “We must finish our actions effectively to maintain team balance and prevent the opponent from counterattacking.” “In many moments we did well, in many others we didn’t. This is why we conceded so much to Parma. We need to have more patience.“ Juventus only conceded once in the first eight Serie A matches this season. But Motta’s men have since capitulated six times in only two games, as Gleison Bremer’s absence due to injury starts to take its toll on the Turin giants. . Read more -> https://cultofcalcio.com/thiago-motta-identifies-juventus-key-issue-after-parma-draw/

Motta explains why he benched Yildiz against Parma Kenan Yildiz’s brace, which savaged a 4-4 draw for Juventus in the Derby d’Italia, was not enough to earn him a start in his side’s 2-2 draw against Parma, as coach Thiago Motta admitted he saw the Turkish talent as an ‘ideal’ substitute on the occasion. The 19-year-old came on seconds before the 60th-minute mark against the Gialloblu replacing Timothy Weah but failed to impact the final stretch of the game as his manager was hoping for. ............ “Weah played well at the San Siro and today, too, scoring a goal,” Motta told Sky Sport Italia after the match. “By coming on later, with a more open game, Kenan was the ideal player to create situations, even dropping deep. “I also liked Thuram and Koopmeiners. Today, we needed to stretch the pitch; we did it many times. Yildiz has freedom in the last meters, but it was normal for us today to want to stretch the pitch against such a closed team.” ............ . Read more -> https://football-italia.net/motta-explains-yildiz-bench-parma/

Cambiaso admits wrong Juventus attitude against Parma: “We were a bit lazy” Juventus fullback Andrea Cambiaso makes a frank admission following his team’s disappointing draw against Parma. The Bianconeri fans who flocked into the Allianz Stadium were expecting a routine victory over the struggling Serie A newcomers. However, the visitors stunned them by taking the lead in the first three minutes. ............ For his part, Cambiaso started the evening at right-back before switching to his original role on the left when Nicolo Savona came in for Juan Cabal. ............ “We didn’t interpret the match well. Today we were a bit lazy in preventive marking and we allowed several counterattacks to very fast players like Parma’s,” said the former Genoa man in his post-match interview via the official Juventus website. “We were a bit too hasty when we got into the final third, we needed to read those situations a bit better. We need to get to know each other better, we are a new team that needs to come together gradually and grow every day so we can all think and play the same way.” ............ Juventus will now turn their attention towards Saturday’s trip to Udine which will be followed by a Champions League clash against Lille on French soil on Tuesday. . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/cambiaso-admits-wrong-juventus-attitude-against-parma-we-were-a-bit-lazy/

Juventus needs to be humble in games states Pavan Juventus remains unbeaten in Serie A, but fans are growing increasingly frustrated after another disappointing draw, this time against Parma at the Allianz Stadium. While staying undefeated would generally be a source of pride, the lack of decisive victories is starting to overshadow this achievement. Fans expect more from a team of Juventus’s calibre, particularly against opponents they are predicted to defeat. ............ Massimo Pavan, a respected journalist who watched the game, recognises that Juve’s struggle to assert dominance over Parma will likely draw criticism. According to Pavan, the criticisms are, in many ways, deserved. Juventus has found itself battling teams they were once expected to beat comfortably, and fans are understandably frustrated by these close encounters. To address this, Pavan suggested that Juve must reintroduce humility and intensity to their game, emphasising the need to fight for every ball on the pitch to demonstrate a serious commitment to winning. ............ “Let’s get ready to receive a lot of criticism, some of it deserved! Juventus must return to being humble and fighting for every ball. With Parma, they only did it in part. There is a bit of disappointment, but there are also values in this team, we all know what is needed.” ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/juventus-needs-to-be-humble-in-games-states-pundit/

Cristiano Giuntoli Reveals Juventus Stance on Upcoming Transfer Window Juventus sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli addressed the media in the build-up to last night’s gut-wrenching home draw against Parma. The former Napoli chief executive shared his thoughts on the team’s Scudetto chances and praised Ange-Yoan Bonny. Recently linked with a move to Juventus, Bonny led the line for Parma last night. However, he failed to add to his three-goal Serie A haul. ............ “He’s a good player,” Giuntoli was cryptic when asked to deliver an update on Juve’s rumored interest in the 21-year-old forward. ............ “We work every day while waiting for January,” Giuntoli said as he recalled the enthralling Derby d’Italia. “It could have gone worse, but it could have also gone better. The team never gave up, sometimes succeeding, other times less so.” ............ “The championship has just started, and there’s still a long way to go,” the Juventus chief said. “We’ve been using the same players frequently for many matches, and now all teams can be formidable. It won’t be an easy journey. We need to grow; we’re a very young team. Our ambitions develop as we progress.” . Read more -> https://cultofcalcio.com/cristiano-giuntoli-reveals-juventus-stance-on-upcoming-transfer-window/

Juventus Defense Keeps Faltering Without Bremer Juventus gave up two more goals against Parma and looked very wobbly, further sullying their previously stellar defensive numbers. They had already taken a big hit because of the 4-4 draw with Inter. They are no longer the stingiest side in the league. Napoli grabbed the baton solo in the midweek round. Since Gleison Bremer went down with an ACL tear, the Bianconeri have secured a clean sheet only versus Lazio, which were hurt by an early red card. They have conceded in all the other matches. Juventus had allowed just 11 shots in the first 8 matchdays. They gave up 9 in the San Siro clash, 10 versus Stuttgart, and 13 to Parma. The tally has risen to 54 in just 6 fixtures. Thiago Motta has rotated his three center-backs, but none has stood out. Even Pierre Kalulu, who was their best performer beforehand, has had some blunders. Federico Gatti returned to the XI midweek, but things didn’t improve. He and Danilo struggled to keep up with the Ducali speedsters. ............ It’s hardly a shocking development, as Bremer might not be too flashy or trumpeted, but he’s rock-solid and covers for a lot of mistakes. They should go with Gatti and Kalulu more regularly, as Danilo is justifying his previous lack of minutes with his latest showings. ............ . Read more -> https://cultofcalcio.com/juventus-defense-continues-to-falter-without-bremer/

Juventus 2 - Parma 2: Initial reactions and random observations Juve failed to generate any momentum from Sunday’s dramatic comeback and dropped points to a likely relegation battler. After the emotion of Juventus’ comeback against Inter on Sunday, getting to play a team like Parma—who look likely to be hovering above the relegation zone for much of the year—looked like a perfect opportunity to bank three points and gain some momentum. Unfortunately, Juve’s players didn’t get that memo. The Bianconeri simply didn’t come to play at kickoff. They failed to accomplish the simplest of tasks on the field. Passes went everywhere but their intended destination. The defense left massive gaps that the Crusaders took ample advantage of. Juventus were down 1-0 within three minutes, and they were incredibly lucky not to be down by quite a bit more when they finally equalized just after the half-hour. But any hopes that that would stabilize things for Juve were short-lived when a long ball and completely inept defending put Parma back in front. Thiago Motta clearly read his charges the riot act, and Juve tied the game within minutes of the restart thanks to a slick move from one Francisco Conceição, who is proving to be the team’s best signing of the summer window. Juve had 30 minutes to complete the turnaround and bag a winner, but couldn’t manage to break through Parma’s defense. It wasn’t for lack of trying. Juve took 13 shots in the final half hour. Only three hit the target, but that number is a bit deceiving. ............ Juve have had problems with playing down to their opponents for years now. The first half was simply abominable—one of the worst 45 minutes of football Juve have played in years. It looked pretty clear the team was running on fumes mentally after expending so much emotional capital at the San Siro on Sunday. Combine that with the physical exhaustion of a packed schedule and a short bench, and you have the recipe for what you saw in the first period today. Even at the end of the game, Juve made mistakes that could have cost them the game, and only a one-on-one save by Michele Di Gregorio saved them from an ugly defeat. ............ RANDOM THOUGHTS AND OBSERVATIONS I think it’s time we face the fact that Father Time snuck up and hit Danilo with a stick over the summer. He’s been awful the last three games, and his struggles have magnified the absence of Bremer. He was simply outrun on the long ball that led to Parma’s second goal, and his badly timed tackle on another one was what gifted Gabriel Charpentier the one-on-one opportunity that Di Gregorio managed to stop. A new center-back to replace Bremer has always been the prioritie for the January transfer window, but as Danilo struggles it becomes increasingly critical. ............ In the meantime, the defensive pairing of Federico Gatti and Pierre Kalulu has to be the default going forward. I think installing them together again will ease some of the defensive issues we’ve seen the last few games. ............ As great as Conceição has been, he’s had a tendency to start playing hero ball as games have gone on. There were more than a few instances as the game went on where he started trying to do way too much when there just wasn’t anything there. Juve have directed so many of their attacks through the wings lately, that they’ve almost ignored the middle of the field. That needs to change. For one thing, it makes the attack very predictable. For another, they’re actually pretty good when they go through the center. Some of Juve’s most dangerous attacks—including the one that led to the second equalizer—started in the middle. Couple that with the fact that Dusan Vlahovic has always been his best when running those center lanes, and it makes one wonder why the team has gone wide so much. The attack needs to diversify a bit. ............ Three goal contributions for Juve’s American contingent today—a goal for Weston McKennie, and a goal and an assist for Tim Weah. That’s after McKennie had two assists and Weah a goal over the weekend, making six over the last two games. ............ Read more -> https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2024/10/31/24284036/juventus-parma-2024-serie-a-matchday-10-final-score-result-initial-reaction-random-observations

Motta admits Juventus were not good enough against Parma Juventus drew once again this evening after a challenging match against Parma, which nearly saw the visitors claim all three points at the Allianz Stadium. Following their thrilling 4-4 encounter with Inter Milan, many supporters and analysts lauded the Bianconeri for their resilience and fighting spirit, fueling expectations to carry this momentum into a victory against Parma. However, instead of finding a breakthrough, Juventus encountered an organised and relentless Parma side intent on returning home with their own points. Parma proved to be a tough opponent throughout the game, quickly responding to every Juventus error and seizing upon loose balls with determination. Each time Juventus’s attack faltered, Parma pounced, launching fast counter-attacks that created constant problems for the Bianconeri’s defence. The Emilian side’s strategy kept Juventus off balance and prevented them from gaining control of the match, nearly resulting in a surprising upset. ............ . Head coach Thiago Motta admitted that the team’s approach was not ideal and pointed to specific areas for improvement. After the game, he commented on Juventus’s struggles, saying: “We want to do a lot and sometimes we can’t do what we have in mind. Now is the time to maintain balance and our idea. We suffered from Parma’s counterattacks because they ran away and managed to counterattack. This is not a good thing. We definitely have to do better and immediately counterattack. We gave our opponent the advantage.” ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/motta-admits-juventus-were-not-good-enough-against-parma/

Juventus Player Ratings vs Parma: American Goals Not Enough for Disappointing Bianconeri At the Allianz Stadium in Turin, Juventus settled for their sixth draw of the season, this time sharing the spoils with Parma. ............ Juventus (4-2-3-1) Michele Di Gregorio – 6 While some might argue that the Italian custodian could have done a bit more on the two Parma goals, he prevented a first defeat for the club by denying Gabriel Charpentier from close range. Andrea Cambiaso – 6 ............ Federico Gatti – 5.5 The Italy international had a torrid first half, as he was beaten in the air by the smaller Del Prato on the opener. But he atoned himself with a couple of crucial interceptions in the second period. Danilo – 5 The Juventus captain showcased his vast experience on a few occasions, but his lack of pace is rendering him a liability in Thiago Motta’s system. He was one of the main culprits on the second Parma goal, and his fumbles could have cost his club even more. Juan Cabal – 6 ............ Manuel Locatelli – 6.5 A courageous showing from the Euro 2020 winner who won back possession on the play that led to the second ball. Picked up his teammates with precise passing and kept the ball rolling in the middle of the park. Khephren Thuram – 6 ............ Francisco Conceicao – 6.5 The Portuguese was once again the team’s main source of inspiration. Kept his opponents on their toes, but found a solid adversary in Coulibaly. Picked up Weah with a brilliant assist. Weston McKennie – 6.5 The Texan was struggling to leave his mark on the encounter, but kept his composure to head home the first Juventus goal. Failed to prevent the second Parma goal, but at least he was doing his duty at the back while others were nowhere to be seen. Timothy Weah – 7 The USMNT star produced an assist with a sublime cross for his compatriot on the first Juventus equalizer and then scored the second himself, but Motta preferred to haul him off early in the second half for Yildiz. Dusan Vlahovic – 4.5 The Serbian wasted an absolute sitter on the rebound and never managed to make amends. His touch was often heavy and futile. Substitutes Nicolò Savona – 6 ............ Kenan Yildiz – 5.5 The teenager had a magical cameo against Inter three days ago, but was far less impactful this time. Teun Koopmeiners – 6 ............ Nicolò Fagioli – N/A . Read more -> https://cultofcalcio.com/juventus-player-ratings-vs-parma-american-goals-not-enough-for-disappointing-bianconeri/