Motta cautious as Juve prepares for Venezia clash
Thiago Motta insisted that his Juventus side must regain focus after its UEFA Champions League win over Manchester City when it returns to Serie A action this weekend.
Dusan Vlahovic and the returning Weston McKennie were on target against Pep Guardiola's side in midweek, moving Juventus up to 14th on the 36-team standings.
But Motta's side has failed to find that clinical edge in recent league meetings, despite being the only remaining side in Serie A yet to lose a game this season.
Juventus has drawn nine of its opening 15 league games of a Serie A campaign for the first time, winning six games, its lowest total at this stage since 2001-2002.
Those draws leave Motta's side sixth on the table and seven points behind leader Atalanta ahead of facing Venezia, which is rooted to the bottom of the table.
Despite his opponent's position, Motta was not underestimating the threat Eusebio Di Francesco's side will pose at Allianz Stadium.
"Obviously the victory helps, but the group is focused on the next one," Motta said.
"It was a good game [against City] with a deserved victory, but that's part of the past. Now it is cancelled, left behind, we improve and immediately think of Venezia.
"Our approach is always the same. We always have the same respect for our opponents and with the idea of entering the field and giving our best with humility and seriousness."
Motta will, however, be without several of his first-team players, with Gleison Bremer, Juan Cabal, Arkadisuz Milik and Andrea Cambiaso all missing this weekend.
Jonas Rouhi, who replaced Cambiaso against Bologna in their last Serie A fixture, is also unavailable through injury, but there is some good news for Juventus.
Nicolas Gonzalez, who has missed the last 14 games in all competitions with muscular problems, is set to return for the visit of Venezia.
"Nico returns to the group, he is very happy because he has worked a lot to make himself available," Motta said.
"I hope I can give him a few minutes."
But Motta will watch the game from the stands after receiving a red card against former club Bologna, but he is confident his players can get the job done.
"It will be the first time. I think and hope that it will have little impact, indeed that it can raise the level of responsibility of the team," Motta said.
"From above you could see other things, because on the pitch some things are perceived differently."
