One of the most considerable forces in European soccer, Juventus started this season with an impressive defence: only one goal conceded in six games, no opponents were able to score against the Old Lady in Serie A. It is on the back of this defensive strength that the team from Turin stands at the top of the stats among Europe's five major leagues. Of course, that is not by accident. The influence of the coach, Thiago Motta, who took over the team, is already clear, especially in defense, with Brazilian center-back Bremer being one of the key pillars.
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The wall of Turin
The Brazilian defender Bremer has been a very vital part of Juventus' backline so far in the season. Providing great performances, he drives the leading role for Juventus on and off the pitch. During one point of the season, Bremer even wore the captain's armband at the start of the season, showing just how much the coaching staff trusts the Brazilian.
About the impact of Thiago Motta, the player himself stated that the squad has been playing in an extremely organized manner at the back. The leadership of Motta has fueled the players, especially Bremer, who considers the coach as a guide beyond the sidelines.
"We started the season very organized," Bremer noted. And the organization indeed is not just a catchphrase, but finds its place on the pitch. Juventus plays compact, with well-positioned defensive lines that make it difficult for opposing forwards to break through.
Thiago Motta's defensive mindset
Thiago Motta has brought a different mentality to Juventus. Pivotal to the coach's way of working is his tactical acumen: the control of space, organizing the defense counts a lot. He knew that in order to have success and to make a big impact, especially in a league that usually is very defensive-minded like Serie A, it would be much better to make sure the base was solid. That is just what he has done.
With Motta, Juventus has been more attacking in defense, pressing high and not giving much time for the opponents to think. Also, this blended well with the extremely organized backline as it made life very tough for the opposing forwards. For Serie A, the strategy went just perfect since Juventus did not concede a single goal in the competition thus far.
With three draws in their six matches, it's clear where Motta's first point of emphasis has lied: solidifying the defense and making sure the team is hard to break down. After all, great teams often start with great defense.
Captain leading the wall
The influence Bremer has inside the Juventus team is such that the test of fire against Napoli-arguably the tightest match so far-was handed over to him as captain. This is huge acknowledgment for a player who joined not so long ago, but he remains with his feet on the ground, working on his growth as a player and leader.
In the last game, I had the opportunity to be captain of the team, and that shows the trust the coaching staff and my teammates have in me," Bremer said.
This mentality shows the weight of responsibility this Brazilian carries. He has been impeccable in this defensive work, leading the backline and earning the respect of rival forwards. He has been fundamental to organizing the defense on the pitch, reading the play well, and helping construct the game from the backline.
A promising start, but the challenge continues
Despite the promising start of this season, Juventus finds itself in fourth place in Serie A now. And the truth is, it shouldn't look on the negative side because the team under Thiago Motta's charge just started their consolidation process, and the results will become more stable as the season progresses.
Impressive numbers on defence, the team had already proved they can compete at the highest level. Even when Juventus conceded one goal in Champions League, during a 3-1 win against PSV, they showed resilience which will become so important if they want to stay competitive in every tournament they're playing in. The unbeaten run in Serie A, with zero goals conceded is a testament to how well the job has been done so far.
The first two seasons were good, we won a title, and we're back in the Champions League," he said, reflecting on how the team so far had gone. Juventus has been through a period of change and adaptation, and now it seems stable under Motta's guidance.
That is to say, the team's defense is tight as nails, and if they keep this up, for sure, they will be a force to contend with all season.