Thiago Motta reflects critically after Juventus’ slim victory against Cagliari: ‘We created numerous opportunities’

Juventus manager Thiago Motta (42) voiced his concerns regarding his team’s erratic scoring after they ground out a hard-earned 1-0 victory against struggling Cagliari in Serie A on Sunday.

Motta witnessed his squad claim a fourth consecutive league win, albeit in a hard-fought manner, yet he was quick to criticise their lack of accuracy in front of goal.

“We created numerous opportunities in the first half, and we went into the break knowing that failing to convert those chances could lead to problems, which inevitably happened,” Motta shared with DAZN.

“We were lacking a bit of clarity in the second half. While we defended well without really conceding many chances, we also didn’t control the game as we did in the first half. Cagliari took command of the pitch, and we can’t afford to let our opponents dictate play like that.”

Motta also commended Dusan Vlahovic (25), the match’s lone scorer, who has contributed to 50 goals in 95 Serie A matches for the club.

“He plays because he earns it. We share an extraordinary bond. His strong character and mentality make him special. Today, he showcased outstanding professionalism and is a great help to his teammates. It’s a pleasure to manage a talent like him.”

With 12 matches remaining, Juve are eager to close the eight-point gap to leaders Inter Milan, who are currently a point ahead of Napoli, following Napoli’s unexpected defeat to Como.

“We must take it one match at a time, especially as we enter the critical phase of the season,” Motta added. “This league is very competitive, and we’ve seen the top teams face challenges this weekend as well.”