Thiago Motta arrived at Juventus with high expectations, but since the turn of the year, the sentiment has shifted. After suffering a second consecutive defeat, the 42-year-old coach is under heavy fire in his first season in Turin. "Stepping down would be too easy."
After the heavy defeat against Atalanta, Juventus once again failed to secure any points in their away match against Fiorentina, suffering a 3-0 loss.
The result marked another painful setback for a team that has been struggling to find consistency, with their performances becoming increasingly unconvincing. The loss not only deepened the crisis but also intensified the scrutiny on Thiago Motta, whose debut season as Juventus manager is now at risk of unraveling. The coach, however, remains defiant despite mounting criticism.
Speaking to DAZN after the match, Motta dismissed any suggestion of stepping down, stating that quitting would be the easy way out. "That would be too easy. I don’t like easy things. We have to find a way to achieve our goal, which is to finish in the top four of Serie A." But while Motta insists on fighting for a Champions League spot, the reality is that Juventus’ situation is becoming increasingly precarious. The team has now dropped to fifth place, and with Bologna just one point ahead in fourth, the risk of missing out on Europe’s top competition is growing. A club of Juventus’ stature failing to qualify for the Champions League would be an unthinkable disaster, both financially and in terms of prestige.
The match against Fiorentina highlighted many of Juventus’ recurring issues. The team looked uninspired and lacking in cohesion, particularly in midfield, where they struggled to dictate the tempo of the game. Fiorentina exploited the spaces with ease, creating chances almost at will, while Juventus’ attack failed to offer any real threat. Defensively, Juventus appeared fragile, conceding three goals in a manner that raised serious questions about the organization and discipline of the squad. The absence of leadership on the pitch was evident, with players showing little urgency or reaction even as the game slipped further out of their control.
Beyond the tactical and technical shortcomings, deeper issues seem to be surfacing within the squad. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, there is growing unrest in the Juventus dressing room, with tensions between Motta and his players becoming more pronounced. "It’s not that games are being lost deliberately to undermine Motta, but conceding seven goals in the last two matches is an indicator of the atmosphere in the dressing room. What started as a light breeze has turned into an icy chill," the newspaper reported. The dissatisfaction appears to stem from Motta’s strict and demanding coaching methods, which some players feel lack the flexibility needed to manage the squad effectively.
While Motta's tactical ideas have been praised in theory, the Gazzetta also notes that his no-nonsense approach is beginning to wear thin among the players. "The players do not doubt Motta’s vision or professionalism many even believe he is destined for a great career but the honeymoon phase is over. His strict and rigid approach is becoming less and less accepted by the players, who accuse him of lacking empathy. That is now being reflected on the pitch." This reported disconnect between coach and squad could explain Juventus’ sluggish performances, as a lack of unity and trust between the players and their manager often translates to poor results.
The club’s management, however, is standing firm for now. Cristiano Giuntoli, the club’s sporting director, addressed the situation in an interview with Sky Sport Italia, making it clear that Juventus does not intend to make any sudden changes. "We need to stick together. Of course, we are disappointed, but we will get through this together," Giuntoli insisted. "With Thiago Motta? Absolutely. This project was a complete restart, so we knew there would be difficulties due to the lack of experience." While this statement expresses confidence in Motta, the reality is that patience at Juventus is never infinite. The club is historically known for its high expectations, and if the current downward spiral continues, management could be forced to reconsider its stance.
The timing of the crisis could not be worse. Juventus now enters a two-week break due to international fixtures, a period that could serve as a much-needed opportunity for the team to regroup or further deepen divisions within the squad. Motta will have time to assess the situation, but with speculation swirling about unrest in the dressing room, these next weeks could be critical for his future.
In twelve days, Juventus will travel to face Genoa, a match that is shaping up to be a pivotal moment in their season. A win could help restore confidence and get their campaign back on track, but another poor result could push the team and Motta closer to a full-blown crisis. Given Juventus’ history of making ruthless managerial decisions, the next few games could decide whether Motta remains at the helm or if the club is forced to consider an alternative before it is too late.
