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Former England manager Fabio Capello has claimed that Juventus manager Thiago Motta is missing Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee.
The two worked together last season at Bologna before Motta agreed to become the boss at the Old Lady and Zirkzee became the first signing of the summer at Old Trafford.
The Dutchman’s career in Manchester got off to the perfect start as he scored a late winner off the bench in his opening Premier League match against Fulham. He has played regularly since, starting the last three games in the league and has had mixed fortune.
He has linked up well and been unlucky not to provide a few assists, as both Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes missed clear-cut chances on Saturday after brilliant work from Zirkzee.
Nonetheless, he has also lacked killer instinct in front of goal, missing various big chances, especially in the 0-3 loss at home to Liverpool.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Capello believes that Motta is very much feeling the absence of his former striker.
Pinpointing Juve’s problems he said, “the Bianconeri are still too slow in circulating the ball and have little quality in the attacking midfield.”
“Dusan Vlahovic is not Zirkzee. He is a penalty area bomber and not an exceptional maneuverer.”
Former Italian midfielder Riccardo Montolivo also wrote in the outlet that Motta was struggling to recreate his system in Bologna due to the differences between Vlahovic and United’s number 11.
“Can he do Zirkzee’s job in Bologna? No, they are different players. Vlahovic does not have the ability to link the game. If he has a flaw, it is in the game with his back to the goal. That is, in defending the ball and linking with his team-mates.”
“Things in which Zirkzee is a master.”
With the return from injury of Rasmus Hojlund, it will be interesting to see if this will reduce Zirkzee’s gametime or if they will in fact get time on the pitch together as Erik ten Hag has suggested they can and will play together.
Feature image Harriet Lander via Getty Images
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