September 16, 2024

PSV Midfielder Thanks Motta as Juventus Debuts 11 New Players

PSV midfielder Jerdy Schouten expresses his gratitude for coach Thiago Motta. It reflects on the valuable lessons learned during their time together. As Juventus prepares for the Champions League, 11 players will debut in the competition alongside Motta. This marks a significant moment for the team and the new players as they enter Europe’s elite tournament.

PSV midfielder expresses gratitude for Thiago Motta: “I learned a lot from him”

PSV Eindhoven midfielder Jerdy Schouten cherishes his time with Juventus coach Thiago Motta, reflecting fondly on their days together at Bologna.

The 27-year-old showcased his skills at the Renato Dall’Ara Stadium from 2019 to 2023. During his last season, under the leadership of the Italo-Brazilian coach, he elevated his performance to new heights.

This impressive development led to the deep-lying playmaker’s €15 million transfer to PSV, giving Bologna a significant capital gain after initially signing him for just €2 million.

Schouten clinched the Eredivisie title in his debut at Eindhoven and secured regular call-ups to the Dutch national team.

Schouten remains thankful to Motta, who taught him valuable lessons during his last season in Italian football.

“Motta doesn’t play typical Italian football made up of catenaccio, but always wants to impose the game and be dominant,” Schouten mentioned this in his interview with Sky Sport Italia, as reported by IlBianconero.

“And it’s been a long time since Juve played a Champions League match. Arriving here in Turin and seeing all the signs reading Juve-PSV makes us eager to play the match. We’re itching to get on the pitch.

“Motta and I worked together for a few months at Bologna, but I learned a lot from him because he was a midfielder like me, and I will always be grateful to him.

“When he signed for Juve, I wrote him a message. But I hope that the Bianconeri have not yet reached the levels of his Bologna.”

Juventus have 11 players making their Champions League debut, along with coach Thiago Motta

Juventus, along with coach Thiago Motta, has 11 players making their Champions League debuts, yet the former midfielder appears unfazed by his team’s inexperience in the tournament.

Juventus will return to Champions League action tonight for the first time in almost two years as they host PSV at the Allianz Stadium in Turin.

The Bianconeri were knocked out in the group stage of the 2022-23 season and faced a ban from European competitions last year.

Tonight, they welcome PSV with a young squad with some players who need more competitive experience.

Juventus have 11 Champions League debutants and coach Thiago Motta

As noted by Sky Sport Italia, 11 players on the current roster have yet to compete in Europe’s top tournament.

Many of these players are recent signings, including Michele Di Gregorio, who transferred from Monza this summer, along with Nico Gonzalez, Douglas Luiz, Juan Cabal, and Vasilije Adzic.

Others are the club’s academy graduates, including Jonas Rouhi, Nicolò Savona, Samuel Mbangula, and Kenan Yildiz.

Italy international Andrea Cambiaso and veteran goalkeeper Carlo Pinsoglio have yet to feature in Europe’s premier competition.

Thiago Motta, a former midfielder for Barcelona, PSG, and Inter, won the trophy in 2010 with the Nerazzurri, having made 82 appearances in the competition as a player.

However, the match against PSV will mark Motta’s debut coaching role in the Champions League. Last season, he secured qualification for Europe’s top competition with Bologna, leading the Rossoblu to their first appearance in 60 years.

On Monday, Motta appeared unfazed by his team’s inexperience, stating at a press conference that “everything counts in football: experience, desire, technique, physicality and determination.”

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