After a taxing international break that saw many Juventus players representing their countries, the Serie A season is set to resume with a challenging phase ahead. Juventus is preparing for a difficult stretch of league fixtures, alongside the return of Champions League action next week. The upcoming match against Empoli on Saturday evening marks the beginning of a busy and demanding month for the team. Empoli has already impressed this season, notably with a 2-1 victory over Roma, a team Juventus only managed to draw with. Following Empoli, Juventus faces PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday and Napoli next weekend.
Speaking at Friday’s press conference, Thiago Motta addressed the tough period ahead while underlining the threat Empoli poses. “Saturday’s match will be tough,” he stated. “This period is packed with important fixtures, but our focus is firmly on Empoli. They’ve been performing well and deserve the same respect we’ve given to all our opponents so far.”
Juventus’ solid defense has been a standout feature of their season, with three consecutive clean sheets and minimal threats to new goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio. However, Motta stressed that Empoli could bring a different challenge. “D’Aversa’s side is organized defensively and dangerous on the counterattack. They’ve created problems for every team they’ve faced, so we’ll need to maintain concentration to secure a win.”
Motta’s main concern heading into this stretch is squad management. While the Empoli match presents a tough test, Juventus must also be mindful of their Champions League return. “The busy schedule doesn’t worry us,” Motta said. “We’ll rotate players accordingly, starting those who are in peak condition and allowing others time to recover. We knew from the start what this season would require, and we’ll approach it with energy and confidence.”
