Juventus Give Thiago Motta Perfect Start Against Como As Atalanta Thrash Lecce
Juventus made light work of Como on Monday with a 3-0 win on Thiago Motta's Serie A debut with the Turin giants, while Atalanta brushed aside transfer upheaval with a 4-0 thumping of Lecce. Impressive first-half strikes from promising youngster Samuel Mbangula, a surprise starter on the left flank, and Timothy Weah before a thumping Andrea Cambiaso finish in stoppage time gave Juve and Motta a perfect start against promoted Como, who were playing their first top-flight match in over two decades.
"Como are a good team and we had the right attitude tonight, when we had the ball we did really well all throughout the match," said Motta to DAZN.
Juve could have easily won by a larger margin at the Allianz Stadium as the hosts created a series of chances against Como who were outclassed on the night.
Dusan Vlahovic had a particularly unlucky evening up front for Juve as he struck the woodwork in each half and had what looked like a perfectly good headed goal ruled out just after half-time.
The Serbia striker was baffled as to why his strike was chalked off but Cambiaso had strayed offside earlier in the move, denying him a goal.
Motta, who arrived in the close season after guiding Bologna to the Champions League, already has Juve playing a brand of football which is easier on the eye than was played under his predecessor Massimiliano Allegri.
That is despite Juve being a work in progress as a clutch of Allegri's favourites, including Italy forward Federico Chiesa, have been sidelined in order to make space for players deemed more suited to Motta's style of play.
Cesc Fabregas's Como, an ambitious club backed by tobacco giant Djarum active in the summer transfer window, will get a better indication of their chances of staying