As Giuntoli hand-picked Thiago Motta as the latest head coach of the Turin titans, plus happily splashed the cash on summer and winter signings, there is a huge responsibility on his shoulders to try to turn around the club’s season.
Motta’s season began well, but since the season-ending injuries to defensive duo Gleison Bremer and Juan Cabal it has been a stuttering campaign.
Three cup exits have resulted in Juve fans being left angry and frustrated. The club’s hefty back-to-back Serie A defeats to Atalanta and Fiorentina has left numerous supporters wanting Motta gone.
Giuntoli shows faith in Motta
Giuntoli has been very supportive towards Motta, and even took over his post-match press duties after the dismal display at Fiorentina. He reiterated that Motta’s position was safe, despite the club being “very unhappy” at the situation of dropping out of the Serie A top four.
A top four league finish ensures Champions League soccer next season, with the next game against Genoa in Turin on 29 March a must-win match for Motta.
Juve conceded seven goals in their past two games, and need to get it right against mid-table Genoa who have only lost once in their past six games.
Supporters, players, pundits and the club board all need winning over by a positive result, which will keep Juventus in the six-club race to finish fourth this term.
Giuntoli’s decision to meet players individually is partly to save his own job and partly to help shake things up.
Modern tactics not working at Juve
Motta’s modern tactics worked well at Bologna for two seasons, winning plaudits despite the relentless draws. The former Italy midfielder appears to lack the winning mentality that is in the DNA of Juventus, with his 13 Serie A stalemates this term the reason why the club are not title-challengers.
There is an unerring stubbornness from 42-year-old Motta about his tactics and formations. His only flexibility seems to be swapping over the starting line-ups and captaincy, which has prevented the team from gelling.
Motta’s dismal 4-2-3-1 system against Fiorentina with dreadful defending, and his refusal to add some attacking bite when the Bianconeri were desperate for goals, means that it’s time to contemplate a different approach for Juve’s final nine league games.
Giuntoli has stepped up to the mark by having discussions with Motta about these damaging two losses, and is now gleaning information and ideas from players on how to move forward.
Di Gregorio speaks out
Shotstopper Michele Di Gregorio, who arrived last summer and is on Manchester City’s wanted list, was left exposed in the past two games. He stated in a post-match press conference that the players follow the coach’s instructions.
Yet Giuntoli is delving into whether Motta’s instructions are being carried out, or whether it is the current players or the manager that is failing.
There are no rumours that Motta has lost the dressing room, but the squad must surely be perplexed by the head coach’s selections and decisions to move on players.
Danilo, Nicolo Fagioli and Dean Huijsen were all deemed surplus to three-year Project Motta. Their replacements have failed to become an upgrade.
Problems at both ends of the pitch
Juve’s defensive solidity has recently been missing. Motta has opted for an understrength or makeshift back four, with the pairing of Lloyd Kelly and Renato Veiga pitiful in Florence. Next Gen defender Riccardo Turicchia could be promoted to replace either player this term.
At the other end of the pitch goals have been difficult to come by, ever since Kolo Muani stopped scoring.
Dusan Vlahovic, the club’s top scorer this campaign, turned down January moves to the Saudi Pro League and the Supa Lig in Turkey. He has patiently warmed the bench since the turn of the year, and bagged the winner against Cagliari in his only Serie A start in 2025.
Improved tactics, such as resorting to a 4-3-1-2 or 4-3-3 formation would surely unleash Vlahovic, who last season under Max Allegri was one of the first names on the team sheet.
It seems harsh that Serbia striker Vlahovic, Serie A’s highest earner, has been constantly overlooked by Motta since Muani’s January arrival on loan from Paris Saint-Germain.
Serbia head coach Dejan Stojkovic explained to Italian website Il Bianconero: “We appreciate Dusan as one of the most important pieces of our game.
“He will always play with me because here he has the opportunity to show that what they are doing to him is not right. I have a good and high opinion of Vlahovic, and his qualities.”
Rare criticism from Motta
Motta’s opinion of Vlahovic and various other Juventus team-mates is unknown, although the head coach hit out with an uncharacteristic bombardment of public criticism about certain players.
He apologised for this outburst, claiming that he loved his players, but that lack of respect by Motta has left him in a precarious position.
Giuntoli’s findings during the international break could unmask any unrest, which should point towards either Motta being given more time to continue with Project Motta or being sacked before the end of the season.