Life is Beautiful but Juve Keeping Feet on Ground, Says Motta

Soccer Football - Serie A - Juventus v Como - Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy - August 19, 2024 Juventus coach Thiago Motta reacts REUTERS/Massimo Pinca/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Soccer Football - Serie A - Juventus v Como - Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy - August 19, 2024 Juventus coach Thiago Motta reacts REUTERS/Massimo Pinca/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
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Life is Beautiful but Juve Keeping Feet on Ground, Says Motta

Soccer Football - Serie A - Juventus v Como - Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy - August 19, 2024 Juventus coach Thiago Motta reacts REUTERS/Massimo Pinca/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Soccer Football - Serie A - Juventus v Como - Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy - August 19, 2024 Juventus coach Thiago Motta reacts REUTERS/Massimo Pinca/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

Juventus coach Thiago Motta described his life as beautiful on Sunday but he is not getting carried away before his team face Hellas Verona.

Motta, brought in after four seasons without a league title for Juventus, began with a 3-0 win over Como and on Monday they go to Verona who started with a 3-0 victory over Napoli.

"We remain with our feet on the ground after the first day of the championship," Reuters quoted Motta telling reporters.

"Now we are on the second day, we face a team that is in good form after their victory against a team that is a serious candidate for the Scudetto.

"We played at home against Como, which was a good performance and a good result for us. Tomorrow I expect a different story and we have to be ready for everything."

Motta attracted the attention of Juventus after taking Bologna to a fifth-place finish last season.

"You look at it from the outside but from the inside my life is beautiful. I wake up early with great energy and enthusiasm to come to training," Motta said.

"I find myself with fantastic people who have that same enthusiasm. I find myself with guys who arrive with a huge desire to improve."

Juventus had been slow to bring in the players Motta requires to challenge for the title, but Argentine winger Nico Gonzalez is having his medical on Sunday before signing from Fiorentina.

Another winger, Francisco Conceicao, is expected to arrive on loan from Porto.

"They are strong players which is why they will come to our squad. Every player that arrives will give us a big hand to be competitive until the end," Motta said.

"That is the case for those already here and those who will arrive."



Man Utd’s Garnacho Could Become World Class, Ten Hag Says

Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho (C) in action against Fulham's Antonee Robinson (R) and goalkeeper Bernd Leno (L) during the English Premier League match between Manchester United and Fulham in Manchester, Britain, 16 August 2024. (EPA)
Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho (C) in action against Fulham's Antonee Robinson (R) and goalkeeper Bernd Leno (L) during the English Premier League match between Manchester United and Fulham in Manchester, Britain, 16 August 2024. (EPA)
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Man Utd’s Garnacho Could Become World Class, Ten Hag Says

Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho (C) in action against Fulham's Antonee Robinson (R) and goalkeeper Bernd Leno (L) during the English Premier League match between Manchester United and Fulham in Manchester, Britain, 16 August 2024. (EPA)
Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho (C) in action against Fulham's Antonee Robinson (R) and goalkeeper Bernd Leno (L) during the English Premier League match between Manchester United and Fulham in Manchester, Britain, 16 August 2024. (EPA)

Manchester United forward Alejandro Garnacho has the potential to become a world class player if he keeps working hard, manager Erik ten Hag said ahead of Saturday's Premier League trip to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Garnacho, 20, assisted United forward Joshua Zirkzee's debut goal in their 1-0 league opener win against Fulham and scored in the Community Shield against Manchester City, which United lost on penalties.

The Argentina international, alongside Kobbie Mainoo, also scored in United's 2-1 FA Cup victory over City and provided many bright moments with seven league goals in United's lackluster season, as they finished eighth.

"To make that jump to being a world-class player, he has a long way to go. It starts with hard work," Ten Hag told reporters. "That has brought him to where he is now and that will bring him to being a world class player because I agree he has the potential."

"We need (exciting players) but I think every team at the top needs a player with the X factor. Garnacho definitely has it in him to become that player. If you want to be that player - world class - then you have to do it consistently and he has a high potential, 100%."

United's 19-year-old midfielder Mainoo wrapped up England's Euro 2024 campaign as a key player in former England manager Gareth Southgate's squad and Ten Hag said the experience has honed Mainoo's skills.

"Those experiences will only help him become a better player (this season). A perfect midfielder is one who is very good in attacking and very good in defending. He is a player who can do it, and he can play as an attacking midfielder and as a holding midfielder."