Douglas Luiz’s impact at Juventus has been far from impressive, but according to La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that his intensity and commitment in training sessions are improving, which could convince coach Thiago Motta to give him a new chance to prove his importance for the squad.
Motta is said to be a big admirer of Douglas Luiz’s quality, but the Brazilian has struggled to meet the high rhythm required by the Bianconeri coach so far, which is why he was mainly used as a substitute in the closing stages of the games.
Yet, the absence of Theun Koopmeiners due to a rib injury could be a chance for the midfielder to step up and show his manager he can be the relevant player the Bianconeri thought he could be when they made a heavy investment to sign him from Aston Villa.
Juventus: Motta hopeful Douglas Luiz can step up as his intensity improves
La Gazzetta dello Sport explains that Douglas Luiz’s quality and vision make him a perfect fit for Thiago Motta’s football. However, his inability to keep up with the pace and intensity has hindered his status in the Bianconeri’s squad so far as he was mainly used as a substitute.
The Brazilian started his Juventus career by piling up a series of anonymous displays and some bad mistakes, as he gave away two penalties in his last two appearances. Yet, Motta still thinks highly of a player who needs time to integrate into a new team and league, and is arguably feeling the pressure of a lucrative €50m price tag.
Koopmeiners’ recent injury, which should keep the player out of action, at least for the upcoming fixtures, could persuade Motta to give Douglas Luiz the second start of his season as Juventus will be awaited by tough tests against Lazio, Stuggart and Inter after the international break.
The Brazilian is reportedly increasing his intensity and showing a growing commitment in training sessions, leaving his club and coach hopeful that he’s finally ready to express his full potential and prove worthy of the Bianconeri’s summer investment.