Gleison Bremer warns Juventus need patience after a 0-0 draw with Napoli, while Weston McKennie says they must try to reassure substituted Dusan Vlahovic. ‘We have to keep his head up.’
The Bianconeri have played three consecutive goalless stalemates in Serie A for the first time since May 1992 when Giovanni Trapattoni was the coach, but back then a draw was worth one point and a victory two, so it wasn’t quite so damaging.
This evening they were held on home turf by Antonio Conte’s Napoli and all their possession counted for very little.
“It’s truly a pity we didn’t win this game, as we dominated it, but if you don’t score goals then it becomes difficult. We are on the right track and need to continue like this,” Bremer told DAZN after receiving his Man of the Match award from the Lega Serie A.
“We know that we are starting a new journey, so it’s not easy to get it straight away. We have a lot of possession, but are lacking that final ball and we must keep working.”
Bremer and McKennie frustrated at Juventus draw
McKennie had been on the verge of leaving Juventus this summer, but broke his way back into the squad under coach Thiago Motta and has now started two games in a row between Serie A and the Champions League.
What is it about his style that allowed him to convince the tactician?
“As an 8, the way we want to play is we need the 8 in the box, whether it’s me Koopmeiners or someone else, giving options, getting second balls, making runs to the front post and scoring goals. Without goals, it is impossible to win games,” noted McKennie.
There was a big shock at half-time when hitman Vlahovic was substituted by Tim Weah, as pitch-side reporters confirm there was no injury, it was purely a tactical decision for Juventus.
Vlahovic had only six touches in the entire first half, so he must’ve been very frustrated in the Juventus locker room.
“Of course, Dusan is a striker, he’s born to score goals, he wants to score goals, it’s not like he comes to the game and says I won’t score today,” continued McKennie.
“He tries to give his best, sometimes it’s the moment, sometimes it’s not. As a team, we have to keep his head up, remind him he’s an important player for us and the goals will come eventually.”