Juventus head coach Thiago Motta had some good news ahead of his side’s Serie A clash against Fiorentina, confirming the return of Douglas Luiz, Danilo, Nico Gonzalez and Teun Koopmeiners from the treatment table.
The Bianconeri have had to endure an injury-hit start to the season, with several key players missing at one point or the other. Despite their injury problems, Motta’s Juve are the only team in Europe that remains unbeaten so far, however, they have racked up more draws than wins.
Juventus currently sit sixth place on the league table, level on 31 points with Sunday’s opponents Fiorentina, who occupy fifth place ahead of their clash at the Allianz Stadium. A win for the Old Lady could potentially see them leap up to fourth place depending on the outcome of fourth-placed Lazio’s game against league leaders Atalanta.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s game, Motta confirmed the return of the four stars while going on to back Luiz, whose start to life in Turin was hampered by a muscle injury, to play a significant role for the italian giants in the remainder of the season.
“We have recovered Douglas Luiz, Nico (Gonzalez) will be available and we have also recovered Danilo and (Teun) Koopmeiners,” Motta said. “We have to still wait for (Jonas) Rouhi, (Timothy) Weah and (Arkadiusz) Milik.”
“I have great hopes and beliefs in him,” Motta added on Luiz. “He has been out for a long time.
He certainly doesn’t have the physical level of some of his teammates. As a midfielder he can do everything.
“In a previous team, they played with two in front of the defence.He has shown that he is a complete midfielder, of a high level. Continuity also applies to him. He must maintain this line to be at an excellent level and be together with the team from now on.”
Juventus have triumphed in their last three league encounters with Fiorentina and have emerged victorious in 12 of their previous 13 Serie A home matches against them. However, with both teams tied on points ahead of the clash, Motta was wary of the danger La Viola pose currently.
“(Fiorentina) have an excellent coach who is very well-prepared and has always shown that he has done a great job,” Motta said.
“They have players of excellent quality and, above all, good preparation. They know how to play football well and are very dangerous on the counterattack. We have to play the right and balanced game.”
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