Thiago Motta pictured throughout Juventus’ Serie A match with AC Milan. (Photograph by Marco Luzzani/Getty Photographs)
Thiago Motta seems to be fairly relieved that his Juventus aspect have been in a position to maintain Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins quiet of their current Champions League assembly.
The Italian giants battled to a goalless attract Birmingham on Wednesday in a consequence that leaves Villa ninth within the Champions League desk and Juventus nineteenth — however simply two factors aside.
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Juventus will little doubt have been frightened about the specter of Watkins, who went into the match off the again of a objective in every of his final two appearances for membership and nation. The 28-year-old has discovered the web 33 occasions for Aston Villa for the reason that begin of final season alone.
Nonetheless, the Previous Girl did a job on the England worldwide, who managed simply two photographs and 22 touches of the ball earlier than he was introduced off within the 77th minute.
Motta was happy to see his aspect shut down Villa’s counter-attack, so typically led by Watkins.
“A protected level. [It was a game] kind of with a staff like Milan, with totally different gamers however on the similar time the identical thought,” Motta instructed reporters at full-time (by way of TBR). “A staff that as we noticed, once we have been open, begins in a short time on the counter-attack.
“[A team] that appears for its striker Watkins in essentially the most tough positions for our defenders.”
Thiago Motta notes Leon Bailey risk
One ahead who did catch the attention for Villa was Leon Bailey.
The Jamaica worldwide — who hasn’t discovered his greatest type this season — accomplished two of his 4 dribbles up towards Andrea Cambiaso. He additionally created two possibilities, together with a cross to John McGinn that so very almost resulted in a winner for the hosts.
Motta admitted Bailey was Villa’s hazard man on the night time, however was happy with how his aspect coped.
“Bailey tried to check his tempo [against] Andrea,” Motta added. “[Fortunately] we conceded little. It’s clear that we additionally created little, as a result of we performed with nice stability in order to not give what Aston Villa have been in search of.
“We then had the chance with Francisco, very clear, which didn’t finish properly with a objective. All in all, we had one other good efficiency, the place we are going to take some extent and proceed to combat for qualification.”
