Motta says he has Juventus backing
Juventus boss Thiago Motta said the club's owners were still behind him despite last weekend's home thrashing by Atalanta in Serie A.
Juventus, which was beaten 4-0 by third-placed Atalanta last weekend, is fourth on the table, and nine points behind leader Inter Milan as it prepares to face eighth-placed Fiorentina on Monday (AEDT).
It was the first time in the history of Serie A that Juventus conceded four goals in a match against Atalanta.
Motta's side had also exited the UEFA Champions League and Coppa Italia earlier in the season and is set to end the season without silverware.
"In our profession, the coach is always under scrutiny, and that's fair," Motta said, as speculation about his future swirled in Italian media.
"I have been pleased with the support of the owners in recent days. The club has shown total trust in me."
The Bianconeri were knocked out of Europe by PSV in the UEFA Champions League play-offs and then suffered a Coppa Italia quarter-final exit to Empoli on penalties last month.
"My future is not the priority. The priority is [Monday's AEDT] match. We need to play a great game. We are coming from a match where the result was hard to digest," he said.
"At first, we were disappointed, we were angry. But we move on and restart. Getting back up is what we do. I see both the disappointment and the determination to react immediately.
"I am the first to put myself under discussion, and when things don't go well, this is only right. Sunday is a great opportunity to show our value again."
Juventus's away record has been slightly better than its home form, having lost one of its 13 away games this season.
It has also won its past two away league games against Como and Cagliari and could record three consecutive wins on the road in the league for the first time since January last year.
Juve, which has as many wins – 13 – as it does draws and two losses, has steadily climbed the standings but must raise its game to secure a top-four finish for UEFA Champions League qualification, with fifth-placed Lazio only one point behind.
Motta also confirmed Francisco Conceicao and Nicolo Savona, who were sidelined with hamstring and thigh injuries respectively, are back in contention.
