Head coach Motta once again subjected this term’s top scorer Dusan Vlahovic, who is attracting interest from elite English Premier League clubs, to the bench.
The Serbian striker has yet to start for the Bianconeri in 2025, but he did make a late appearance and set up a glorious chance for Manuel Locatelli to score.
With Club Brugge and Juventus eager to pick up maximum points from this penultimate game in the new-look Champions League group stages, the opening half was a surprisingly tedious contest.
Former Barcelona prospect Ferran Jutgla produced the first shot of the match, only to screw his second-minute long-range shot wide of the target.
Douglas Luiz should have silenced the Jan Breydelstadion when he superbly controlled the ball with his chest in the box. The midfielder, who is being eyed up by former clubs Aston Villa and Manchester, made a real hash of his left-footed 38th-minute attempt.
Jutgla should have broken the deadlock three minutes into the second half to stun Juve.
Keeper Michele Di Gregorio, under pressure from Christos Tzolis, saw his backpass intercepted by attacking midfielder Hans Vanaken. Jutgla was superbly picked out with an open goal at his mercy, but the Spanish forward somehow sent his fierce low shot wide of the target. This poor finish was a strong indication why he has yet to score in the Champions League this season.
Juventus were jolted by this escape and immediately went on the attack. Luiz was guilty of another poor miss, sending Nicolas Gonzalez’s cross over the bar from the center of the box. His confidence looked low and the Brazilian must surely be hoping he can make a swift return to the English Premier League.
Just before the hour-mark there could have been a goal at either end. Teun Koopmeiners screwed his attempt high and wide for the Turin team. Less than a minute later Club Brugge saw Tzolis’ shot blocked outside the area and then Raphael Onyedika missed the target with his wayward shot.
With more scoring chances being generated, Motto made a tactical double substitution on 66 minutes by sending on a pair of strikers. Francisco Conceicao, back from injury having missed the past four games, replaced the ineffective Timothy Weah and Kenan Yildiz came on for former Club Brugge youth team player Samuel Mbangula.
The hosts responded by also introducing fresh legs, forward Gustaf Nilsson given 20 minutes after livewire Jutgla was hauled off.
After Koopmeiners was unable to head home Conceicao’s cross to hand Juve the lead, Nilsson was immediately gifted a gilt-edged opportunity to score. Chemsdine Talbi found the Swede in the box, only for Nilsson to steer his volley wide.
Motto appeared desperate on the sidelines, and with a roll of the dice made a triple 76th-minute substitution. Weston McKennie, Khephren Thuram and Vlahovic all thrown into the mire.
This gamble almost paid off when Locatelli finally produced Juventus’ first shot on target with five minutes remaining. Set free by Vlahovic, the defender bombed forward then unleashed an ambitious long-range shot that was saved in the bottom left corner by keeper Simon Mignolet.
A last-gasp corner almost resulted in the hosts securing victory, but Nilsson misjudged his header and was unable to convert Maxim De Cuyper’s cross.
The result means that both sides extended their unbeaten run in the Champions League to four matches. For two of the least attacking teams in the competition, they could both face elimination unless they can score a victory in their next respective ties.
Both boast a resolute defence but lack the finishing touch in the European arena. Club Brugge travel to rejuvenated Manchester City next week, while the Bianconeri will welcome Portuguese giants Benfica.
Motta will no doubt be concerned that his side, even after bringing on a trio of strikers, produced just five shots against Club Brugge. That’s their lowest amount in European competition this season, and needs to be urgently rectified.