Juventus Manager Thiago Motta Admits Benfica Deserved Victory in Champions League

Juventus manager Thiago Motta took responsibility for his team's 2-0 Champions League defeat to Benfica, admitting the Portuguese side deserved the victory and highlighting the need for rapid improvement.

Juventus manager Thiago Motta was forthright in his assessment of his team's 2-0 home defeat to Benfica in the Champions League, admitting that the Portuguese side were deserving winners. Motta took responsibility for the loss, which marked Juventus' second consecutive defeat after their unbeaten Serie A record was ended by Napoli at the weekend.

The defeat had significant implications for Juventus, as they slipped to 20th in the standings and will enter the knockout phase playoffs as an unseeded team. This means they will face a tougher opponent in the next round, with either AC Milan or PSV Eindhoven awaiting them. The loss was met with frustration from the home fans, who jeered the team as they ended the opening Champions League phase on a disappointing note.

FT | ⌛️ | Full-time.#JuveSLB #UCL pic.twitter.com/x95mG3SPK9

— JuventusFC 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@juventusfcen) January 29, 2025

Motta's candid admission of Juventus' shortcomings will likely spark intense scrutiny of the team's performance. The pressure is now on Motta to turn things around and lead Juventus to a positive result in the knockout phase playoffs. With the team's European ambitions hanging in the balance, Motta will need to rally his players and devise a strategy to overcome their upcoming opponents.

Juventus manager Thiago Motta was candid in his assessment of his team's 2-0 home defeat to Benfica in the Champions League. “Today we didn't deserve the victory. Benfica created and finished better than us. Now we have to improve quickly, because on Sunday we have to play immediately,” Motta told reporters. He acknowledged that Juventus struggled to match Benfica's level of performance, particularly in the first half.

75' | 😯 | Douglas Luiz sneaks into the area, gets his shot on target but Trubin is equal to it!#JuveSLB [0-1] #UCL pic.twitter.com/qFW8VPMGwF

— JuventusFC 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@juventusfcen) January 29, 2025

Motta reflected on the team's recent performances, drawing comparisons with their previous match against Napoli. “In Naples, we played a good first half, today the first half was difficult. In the second half, we did better, but not enough, and they deserved to win,” Motta said. Despite the disappointing result, Motta chose not to criticize individual players, instead emphasizing the collective responsibility for the defeat.

Benfica get the job done in Turin 👏#UCL pic.twitter.com/nLrdwinfY8

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 29, 2025

Motta took ownership of the team's shortcomings, saying, “After a defeat, I certainly don't want to point the finger at anyone.” He reiterated his role as the primary person accountable for the team's performance, stating, “I'm definitely the one responsible, but the boys are trying to give their best.” Motta acknowledged the team's dissatisfaction with the defeat and emphasized the need for rapid improvement, particularly in the attacking department. “When there is a defeat, we are the first to be dissatisfied. There are things to improve quickly, because there is a game on Sunday. Today we lacked in the last meters. For the rest, little to say, because Benfica deserved the victory.”