Juventus: Why Yildiz was benched vs. Fiorentina and Motta stance on Kean transfer | OneFootball

Thiago Motta says Kenan Yildiz starting on the bench against Fiorentina was a ‘technical’ decision, while Moise Kean had a ‘tough moment’ and ‘wanted to change’ last summer.

Motta’s Juventus were held to a 2-2 draw by Fiorentina on Sunday. Although they remain unbeaten in Serie A, they have 11 draws in 18 matches and are three points below the top four.

Motta surprisingly dropped Yildiz and started Mbangula but introduced the Turkish talent from the bench in the second half.

Juventus: Why Yildiz was benched vs. Fiorentina and Motta stance on Kean transfer

TURIN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 09: Kenan Yildiz of Juventus celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between Juventus and Torino at Juventus Stadium on November 09, 2024 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Motta, a former Italy international, was asked to explain his choice during a post-match press conference attended by Football Italia.

“It was a technical choice, as always,” said the Juventus boss, “I’m pleased with Samuel [Mbangula’s] display.”

Italy international Kean scored his 11th Serie A goal this term, so Motta was asked whether he regrets the club’s decision to sell the 24-year-old last summer.

“Even before the match, he [Kean] said he had had a tough moment, and now he’s happy,” argued Motta.

“He wanted to change, and now he’s happy at Fiorentina; I have nothing more to add.”

Motta added that Fiorentina should have been more clinical against the Tuscans and insisted that defensive errors were not the key in the eventual 2-2 draw.