Juventus coach Motta calls for more precision in attack
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Juventus dropped the first points of their league campaign after kicking off the season
TURIN, Italy (Reuters) - Juventus players should have been more precise in their attack as they played out a goalless home draw against AS Roma in Serie A on Sunday, coach Thiago Motta said.
Juventus dropped the first points of their league campaign after kicking off the season with impressive back-to-back 3-0 victories against Como and Hellas Verona.
"I think it's a fair result, in a balanced match. We didn't concede and we have one more point in the standings," Motta told a press conference.
"I'm very satisfied with the group and their commitment. We could have done much better today in precision in the offensive phase, but the opposing team knew how to defend and not give spaces."
It is the first time since 2014-15 that Juventus managed to keep a clean sheet in their first three Serie A games of the season.
"Today we were too frenetic. At times we did well, at times they did well, it was a really difficult and balanced game," Motta added.
"We failed to understand the right moment to hit Roma, which must be underlined, they are a great team. Offensively we can do better."
Juve's only shot on target arrived just before the break via forward Dusan Vlahovic, who opened his scoring account this season with a brace at Verona.
Against Roma he managed more attempts but none of them created real danger inside the visitors' box.
"Vlahovic? I see him very well. He always helps the team," Motta said.
"Sometimes he scores, sometimes he doesn't, but in my team as a striker I don't only look at the goal. He must continue like this."
Juve's new coach, who arrived in place of sacked Massimiliano Allegri, admitted goals are not only a strikers' responsibility.
"(We should be) feeding the attacker in an ideal way to finish the action," he said.
"We have to put the attackers in the best conditions ... Today we had more difficulty in that moment. (But) we can improve with the quality we have in the group".
