Paul Pogba, once considered one of the most dynamic midfielders in world football, has faced several ups and downs in recent seasons due to injuries and inconsistency. Despite his immense talent, Pogba has struggled to regain his best form, whether at Manchester United or during his return to Juventus. With Thiago Motta emerging as one of Italy’s most promising tactical minds, a pressing question arises: can Motta’s tactical philosophy unlock Pogba’s full potential at Juventus?
Thiago Motta, currently the manager of Bologna, has attracted significant attention with his unique tactical approach. A blend of pressing, positional play, and a strong emphasis on ball control, Motta’s system requires his players to be both technically adept and tactically disciplined. Given Pogba’s technical abilities and experience, it seems that Motta’s system could be an ideal fit, but a deeper dive is required to determine whether Motta’s methods could truly get the best out of Pogba at Juventus.
At his best, Paul Pogba is a versatile midfielder capable of dictating play with his long-range passing, physicality, and ability to drive forward. His creative vision allows him to deliver key passes, while his dribbling and ball control give him the ability to break through opposition lines. Defensively, Pogba can contribute with his physical presence and ability to win duels, but his positioning and discipline have often been called into question.
Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri has primarily used Pogba in a variety of midfield roles since his return to the club in 2022, trying to accommodate his talents within different tactical setups. Pogba has often played as a deep-lying playmaker or a more advanced box-to-box midfielder. However, recurring injuries have prevented him from consistently performing in either role. The real challenge for any manager, including Thiago Motta, would be how to utilize Pogba’s unique blend of skills while mitigating his defensive vulnerabilities and physical limitations.
Thiago Motta has developed a reputation for his progressive and flexible tactical approach. At Bologna, he has employed a high-pressing, possession-based style that emphasizes control over the tempo of the game. His teams typically play in a 4-3-3 formation, with the midfielders playing crucial roles in maintaining possession, pressing high, and creating chances.
Motta’s approach is inspired by the tactics of Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti, both of whom he played under during his career. His midfielders are expected to be technically gifted, positionally aware, and capable of transitioning between attack and defense seamlessly. This kind of system could provide Pogba with the platform to showcase his strengths, but it would also require him to adopt a high level of tactical discipline and stamina.
One way Motta could get the best out of Pogba is by deploying him in a similar role to that of Ilkay Gündogan at Manchester City, under Pep Guardiola. Gündogan operated as an advanced midfielder, tasked with arriving late into the box, exploiting space, and linking play between the forwards and the deeper midfielders. Pogba’s creativity, ball-carrying ability, and knack for scoring from distance would make him a perfect fit for this role in Motta’s system.
In a 4-3-3 formation, Pogba could play alongside two more defensively disciplined midfielders, allowing him the freedom to roam forward and contribute to the attack without being overly concerned about his defensive duties. This would minimize the physical toll on Pogba while allowing him to focus on his strengths. Motta’s emphasis on fluid, possession-based football would also suit Pogba’s preference for playing in a team that controls the ball and dictates the pace of the game.
However, Pogba’s success under Motta would depend heavily on his fitness and ability to adapt to the high-intensity pressing game. Motta’s teams are known for their work rate and positional awareness, and Pogba would need to demonstrate a level of consistency and discipline that has sometimes been missing from his game.
Thiago Motta’s tactical philosophy, with its emphasis on possession, pressing, and positional play, could provide the perfect platform for Paul Pogba to rediscover his best form at Juventus. By playing Pogba in a more advanced midfield role, surrounded by tactically disciplined teammates, Motta could help the Frenchman focus on his attacking contributions while minimizing his defensive responsibilities. However, Pogba’s ability to thrive under Motta would ultimately depend on his fitness and willingness to adapt to the physical demands of Motta’s system. If the stars align, this partnership could finally unlock the immense potential that Pogba has shown glimpses of throughout his career.
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