At the start of the season, Cristiano Giuntoli made a bold statement. "We have entirely changed the way we think about football," he told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. Starting from scratch, Juventus embarked on a journey of self-discovery, aiming to make the "Old Lady" young again.

Thiago Motta's Stylish Vision

Juventus brought in fresh talent, splashing nearly 200m euros on players like Atalanta's Teun Koopmeiners and Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz. The midfield was injected with new energy, and youngsters were promoted and made an immediate impact. In the early games of the season, it all seemed to be going well. Juventus collected two consecutive league victories, winning 3-0 each time, and also defeated PSV and RB Leipzig in the Champions League. They had an identifiable style of play – attacking, aggressive, and with positional fluidity.However, things took a turn for the worse. After 15 matches, Juventus find themselves in sixth place in Serie A, still unbeaten but unable to secure a win. Their attacking game has become drab and predictable, and the fans are starting to lose patience. Seven draws in their past nine games under Motta have led to jeering and booing from the stands.

The Role of Dusan Vlahovic

Dusan Vlahovic, when available, has struggled to score goals consistently. He was expected to shine at Juventus but has failed to replicate his form from Fiorentina. Some blame Allegri's defensive tactics for his regression, while others question Motta's decisions. Vlahovic has expressed his desire for more freedom, but it remains to be seen how Motta will accommodate him.

The Impact of Kenan Yildiz

Kenan Yildiz, the magical number 10, has been shunted out wide despite thriving in the middle behind the striker in the early games. His inconsistent performance has raised questions about Motta's tactics. The youngster has struggled to make a consistent impact, and it remains to be seen if Motta will give him another chance in a more suitable position.

Challenges on the Pitch

Coaching in Italy is no easy task, especially for a team like Juventus that must win at all times. The squad is dealing with an injury crisis, with only four outfield players available on the bench in the Champions League match against Aston Villa. This makes it difficult to revolutionize the playing style and develop youngsters.Congested fixture lists have also led to a common problem of injuries among big European clubs. While the coach's physical preparation of the side is important, Juventus often have to deal with a mounting injury list.

Decision-Making Under Scrutiny

Some of Giuntoli's decisions have come under scrutiny. Selling Moise Kean without replacing him seems to have been a naive move, as he has already scored 13 goals for Fiorentina. Investing in injury-prone Nico Gonzalez, who has only managed 226 minutes due to injuries, is also a cause for concern.Against Empoli, Motta's substitutions nearly cost the team a defeat as they allowed the opposition's counter-attacks. Against Napoli, it was argued that Juventus can only win against sides that leave gaps at the back. And against Lecce, there was debate about whether to introduce youth or rely on experience.It's a difficult situation for Motta and Juventus. Both the directors and the fans have faith in him, but results on the pitch are what matter. Against Manchester City, Juventus will face another test, and it remains to be seen if they can turn things around.