Juventus v Manchester City: Why Thiago Motta’s Old Lady are back in crisis before Champions League

It’s still early in the season to cast wild judgements. However, Motta has made some curious decisions that have attracted scrutiny.

For example, his insistence on not playing Kenan Yildiz, the magical number 10, in the middle behind the striker – a position where he thrived in the early games of the season. Shunted out wide, the youngster has struggled to make a consistent impact.

Meanwhile, Vlahovic’s performances continue to spark debate. When the Serbian striker failed to replicate his form for Fiorentina at Juventus, it was difficult not to blame Allegri’s defensive tactics for his apparent regression.

Exhibiting more of the same mediocrity this season and Vlahovic was soon heard taking aim at his new coach while out for international duty with Serbia.

“It is a bit easier for me when there is another striker, because Mitrovic holds up the ball and engages in aerial duels, so I can make more of my own characteristics and qualities,” he said.

“The coach also does not require many defensive duties from me, so that makes it easier too. With my physicality, I can’t really run that much and am not as fresh in my finishing when I’ve been working so hard.”

So the Serbian wants total freedom at a club that requires a team effort to start winning again?

Motta will not be giving up on Vlahovic and Juve will not give up on Motta any time soon. Both the directors and the fans – even the ones who boo – have a lot of faith in their new coach.

Against Empoli, a 0-0 draw, the media noted that Motta’s substitutions nearly cost the team a defeat as they began to allow the opposition’s counter-attacks.

Against Napoli, it was argued Juve can only win against sides that leave gaps at the back.

When the Old Lady won the next match against Genoa 3-0, Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport criticised the endless tinkering, asking if Motta was throwing on the kids to ‘surprise’ when he ought be concentrating on establishing a starting XI.

Against Lecce – how could he introduce youth when they were holding on to a 1-0 victory? That’s the time for experience, journalists argued.