Thiago Motta: Juventus ‘did everything’ in 1-1 draw against Cagliari | OneFootball

Thiago Motta insists Juventus shouldn’t have ‘managed’ the ball after taking the lead with Dusan Vlahovic against Cagliari as they left ‘space’ for opponents to get back into the game.

The Bianconeri saw their Serie A clean sheet ended after 627 minutes of football, as Razvan Marin converted a penalty in this 1-1 draw.

“We controlled the game and managed the ball in the first half after the goal, but we shouldn’t have done it. We should have continued attacking. In the second half, we created some chances, but there was always a feeling that Cagliari could go back into the game,” Motta told DAZN.

“We took the lead, and after that, we managed the result; that’s where we must improve. All Serie A games are tricky, regardless of opponents. Today, we left a pit of space for our opponents to get back in the game. We struggled to kill off the game.”

Thiago Motta: Juventus ‘did everything’ in 1-1 draw against Cagliari

It was a game dominated by VAR because their intervention saw it awarded for Sebastiano Luperto grazing his fingertips to the Federico Gatti header.

The referee made the third big decision himself, showing a second yellow card to Francisco Conceicao when he went down in the box feeling Adam Obert’s hand on his shoulder.

“I think we did everything today. There was a penalty kick and a red card at the end of the game, so it was difficult to get the result we wanted,” argued Motta.

Dusan Vlahovic missed a big chance minutes before Cagliari’s equaliser in the second half. What will Motta tell his striker?

“There’s nothing to say. It’s a situation that can happen. We must do many things better to be competitive and continue on the growing path.”

Then late on Roberto Piccoli flicked on the ball before Douglas Luiz crashed into him for the decisive penalty, the second game running where the former Aston Villa midfielder has given away a spot-kick. How can Motta help the Brazilian react?

“Train, work and give the best every day. That’s how you do this work. This is true for him and everyone else. Surely, there will be positive things in the future.”

Kenan Yildiz started on the bench, with Samuel Mbangula on the left wing.

“Samuel should have done more during the game. I wasn’t sure whether to introduce Kenan or somebody else. In the end, I picked him, and he entered the game well. We were still 1-0 up, trying to close the game, we didn’t do it and we conceded a late penalty.”

Juve might be unbeaten in Serie A this season, but are slipping down the standings with four draws and three victories.

Lastly, Motta confirmed that Teun Koopmeiners was subbed off due to a minor “issue” and that he’ll be assessed in the coming hours.