Sept 13 (Askume) – Juventus open Serie A next week with a Champions League clash with Napoli but head coach Thiago Motta said on Friday his focus was only on this weekend’s game against Empoli.
Motta has made a strong start to life with Juventus, unbeaten in the league and level on points with defending champions Inter Milan, and his team will soon be tested in Europe, but for now he is thinking about Saturday’s trip.
“We have time to think and prepare for the other two games this week. Our focus is on tomorrow. After that we will think about the other games,” Motta said in a press conference.
“We only have to think about the game against Empoli. Tomorrow the game will be complicated, like all games in Serie A. It will be a game against a team that performs well and knows what to do on the pitch.”
Empoli are also unbeaten in three league games and only two points behind seventh-placed Juventus, with Motta not looking down on the Tuscan side and not considering Tuesday’s clash with PSV or next weekend’s game against Napoli.
“We will face Empoli, who are doing well at the moment, they have played three good matches, but we are also in a good position,” Motta said.
“We know the schedule and the games we have to play. Tomorrow we have to be determined, focused and play a serious game.”
“Then we’ll take it game by game as we always do, fully committed and focused on doing our job.”
Motta started the season with a limited squad and is still waiting for the club to add players, but the manager now has plenty of options with Douglas Luiz and Ten Kupmeiners both capable of making their debuts.
Motta said: “They are two great players and I am lucky to have them with us, as are many other players in our squad. Let’s see who starts tomorrow’s game.”
“I am happy because each one of us is available.”
