Juventus legend Vladimir Jugovic is convinced that Khephren Thuram and Teun Koopmeiners\u2019 physicality will help Douglas Luiz on the pitch even if Manuel Locatelli seems \u2018reborn\u2019 under Thiago Motta.<\/p>\n
Juventus have collected seven points in the opening three Serie A games under Motta.<\/p>\n
The Bianconeri beat Como and Hellas Verona 3-0 and were held to a goalless stalemate by Roma at the Allianz Stadium before the break.<\/p>\n
One of their biggest summer signings, Douglas Luiz, started three games on the bench, but ex-Juventus midfielder Jugovic feels the Brazilian star will soon get regular playing time.<\/p>\n
\u201cRabiot is a significant loss, and I am surprised to see him among the free agents still available. Juventus have changed a lot in the middle. It\u2019s a revolution that I like on paper. But you know how it works,\u201d he told Gazzetta.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a transfer market for the money and one for the pitch. Sometimes, they match, and sometimes, they don\u2019t.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a general thing. It\u2019s too early to judge, one way or another. Douglas Luiz can\u2019t be questioned technically, but the mentality makes the difference at a top club,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt allows you to push for more, even after victories. I don\u2019t know Douglas Luiz personally, and I think nobody knows better than Thiago Motta how to manage the Brazilian midfielder who comes from a foreign league.\u201d<\/p>\n
Why hasn\u2019t the Brazilian started yet, then?<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel Thiago is protecting Douglas Luiz while waiting for the take-off regarding physical shape,\u201d explained Jugovic.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou must be at your best to play at Juventus. It worked this way during my time and will always work as such.<\/p>\n
\u201cThuram and Koopmeiners\u2019 physicality will be precious for Douglas Luiz and the whole team. It\u2019s not easy to keep Locatelli out right now, he seems reborn. It\u2019s his merit, and perhaps the current playing style suits him better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Locatelli started three games from three but it was not enough to earn a spot in the Italy squad for September games against France and Israel.<\/p>\n
\u201cMotta achieved a historical result at Bologna, but he\u2019s debuting at a top club. I like him, but this is not enough at Juventus,\u201d continued Jugovic.<\/p>\n
\u201cTime does not exist at Juventus. If you win, it\u2019s a positive season; if not, it isn\u2019t. Thiago Motta has interesting ideas. After all, most of the best coaches used to be midfielders: Guardiola, Xabi Alonso, Ancelotti, Conte, Zidane. Deschamps.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you play in the middle, you have a different vision and bring it to the bench. I made a different decision, and it\u2019s okay. Right now, I am having fun with chess.\u201d<\/p>\n
Inter have also earned seven points in the opening three games, and Jugovic, who also played for the Nerazzurri, feels that Simone Inzaghi\u2019s boys are still favourites for the Scudetto.<\/p>\n
\u201cInter are favourites. They have the same coach, and the team and the playing style are reliable. I expect Juventus to fight until the end. It will be a great season because Conte doesn\u2019t participate just for the sake of it. Antonio will bother them, and he has already won one Scudetto with Lukaku at Inter,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n