Juventus head coach Thiago Motta admitted that the Bianconeri “need to do better” after they struggled to a 2-2 draw against bottom-placed Venezia at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday, Soccernet.football reports.
Federico Gatti put Juve ahead, but second half strikes from Mikael Egill Ellertssen and Jay Idzes turned the game around for the visitors. Fortunately for the hosts, a last minute spot kick, converted by Dusan Vlahovic ultimately earned them a point.
While the draw ensured that Juventus maintained their unbeaten start to the Serie A campaign, it also saw them record their tenth stalemate in 16 league games, leaving Motta’s men in 6th place on the table and nine points off the summit.
“We did not put in a good performance against a team that defended well, we certainly need to do better,” Motta told Sky Sports Italia after the match.
“We do not want to remain where we are now and after taking the lead we need to keep playing, maintain this confidence to close the game and not try to run down the clock.”
The former Bologna boss also dismissed talks regarding Juve’s title chances, insisting instead that his team needed to focus on changing their fortunes and turning their season around.
“We, at this moment, have to put in a better performance and get a different result. I’ve never spoken about the Scudetto and this is not the time to speak. Now is the time to change with the next match. We have to change this story.”
On the angry reaction of Juventus fans after the full-time whistle, Motta added; “The fans have the freedom to express their emotions and feelings.
“The players are the first who wish they could have changed things and won, so it is not a good moment.
“These things happen, it’s not the first time, it certainly won’t be the last. We must be united and keep going forward for the good of Juventus. We all want to change this situation.
“The fans have every right to express themselves, but we should remain united and together change things.”