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The Juventus coach: "I liked McKennie like the others. Now Napoli, beautiful match. Me like Lippi? I admire him a lot". Gatti, small injury
First Champions League match to remember for Thiago Motta . His Juve beat PSV Eindhoven 3-1 in the first European match of the season, starting as well as it could have. Even on a decidedly positive evening like the one at the Allianz Stadium , the Juventus coach still found elements on which to continue working. In addition to analyzing the performances of some individuals, and after the joy of the victory, his mind is already turned to the next league match against Antonio Conte 's Napoli .
Motta between Juve victory and Vlahovic
Interviewed by Sky Sport , Motta was immediately asked about the choice to field McKennie from the start : " I like him, like all the other players we have. For what was needed on the pitch, it was up to him, he did well like his teammates. We got a good result to start the competition, now let's prepare for the next one. If I smiled more about McKennie's goal because he repaid my faith? The important thing is not whether I choose or not, it's my job to field the 11 who are best. I'm happy for him, he's working, he has to improve like everyone else: the important thing is that the team won and that they started the competition with a victory. We certainly have to improve in many things ."
From one individual to another, after McKennie we move on to Vlahovic : " Dusan has been in the ideal conditions to play since we started work, helping both in the offensive and defensive phases. He didn't score today, it's right that he has this ambition to score as he is our point of reference up front, but he does many other things well, in others like everyone else he could have done better. He must manage the emotional side well: it happens to a striker not to score, but he must think that there are many other things to do on the pitch, the goals will come. We must use him to create spaces for the wingers, McKennie and Koopmeiners. The important thing is that he participates in the group, as he is doing: but he must be happy because the goals will come ".
Gatti's injury and the comparison with Lippi
Thiago Motta's analysis of the match continued in the press conference: " We got a good result, it was important to win. Now the focus is immediately on the next match against Napoli. Locatelli? I'm satisfied, he played a good match. He plays in an important role, but all roles are important and we always have to do better ". On the conditions of Gatti (who left the pitch in the 57th minute and was replaced by Danilo): " He had a small sprain , but nothing significant ". And speaking of defenders, we move on to Kalulu: " Great performance, but I think everyone played well today. We're on the right path: we started the competition in the best way and we have to continue like this ".
From the defensive to the offensive phase: " Did I seem more satisfied on Saturday than today? Good observation... On one hand it is, on the other no. However today we won, and that is always good. Tonight we did better, closing the plays quickly. We can improve, but I am satisfied with the result ". A Champions League debut for Motta equal to that of Marcello Lippi (in 1995 he won 3-1 at home to Borussia Dortmund, ed. ): " If I would like to have something of him? Everything! I don't like comparisons and they are not good, he has done very important things as a coach and is to be admired. I really appreciate him a lot ".