Juventus kicked off their Serie A campaign in style, securing a dominant 3-0 victory over newly-promoted Como at the Allianz Stadium on Monday. Under the guidance of their new coach, Thiago Motta, Juventus delivered a confident performance that showcased both defensive solidity and attacking flair.
Samuel Mbangula opened the scoring for Juventus, followed by goals from Timothy Weah and Andrea Cambiaso, sealing the win in their first match of the season. Motta, who took over the reins at Juventus this summer, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s overall performance, emphasizing the importance of starting the season on a strong note.
In his post-match press conference, Motta remarked, “I was satisfied with the performance but above all with the result. We deserved to win.” He highlighted the team’s defensive discipline, noting their ability to press at the right moments and maintain a solid shape throughout the match. Motta also praised the contributions of forward Dusan Vlahovic, who played a crucial role in leading the team’s press and creating opportunities in attack.
Vlahovic had a standout performance, consistently threatening Como’s defense and coming close to scoring on multiple occasions. Despite having a goal ruled out for offside and hitting the post, the Serbian striker remained a constant presence in Juventus’s attacking play. Motta commended Vlahovic’s efforts, stating, “Dusan had a great game with and without the ball. For us, he is an important player who definitely needs the team.”
FT | ⌛️ | A solid start to the new season 💪
💪 @EASPORTSFC #JuveComo pic.twitter.com/XneoI0Nvhc
— JuventusFC 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@juventusfcen) August 19, 2024
The match saw Juventus dominate possession and create numerous chances, putting Como under sustained pressure. Tactically, Motta’s approach was evident as the team displayed a clear understanding of when to press and when to drop back, balancing their offensive ambitions with defensive responsibilities. The cohesion between the defense and attack was particularly impressive, as Juventus maintained control of the game from start to finish.
Reflecting on the match, Motta also acknowledged the challenges posed by Como, a team with great enthusiasm and motivation following their promotion to Serie A. “We faced them with great respect, in the right way: defending ourselves together; when we have the ball we have players of great quality, with a great understanding of the moment and the game and we did very well throughout the match,” Motta said.
Looking ahead, Juventus aims to build on this positive start as they prepare for their next match against Hellas Verona. Motta emphasized the importance of recovery and focus, recognizing the threat posed by Verona, who recently stunned Napoli with a 3-0 victory. “We need to recover from this game, regain our energy and focus on Hellas Verona,” Motta said. “We will face a tricky team, they demonstrated that on the first day and we have to do a good job.”
Juventus, who won nine consecutive Serie A titles between 2012 and 2020, are determined to reclaim the Scudetto under Motta’s leadership. The Italian-Brazilian coach has made it clear that humility and hard work will be key to achieving their goals this season. As Juventus continues to evolve under Motta, their performance against Como offers a glimpse of the potential that lies ahead.
In conclusion, Juventus’s comprehensive victory against Como marks an encouraging start to their Serie A campaign. With Motta at the helm, the team appears well-equipped to challenge for the title and re-establish themselves as the dominant force in Italian football.
