Juventus boss Motta: Conceicao not phased by family reunion

Thiago Motta did not promise Francisco Conceicao a place in Juventus’ XI for Friday’s clash with AC Milan, but is confident the attacker will deliver if he is called upon.

Conceicao joined Juve from Porto in the summer and has since scored three goals and provided four assists in 19 appearances.

On Friday, the attacker could well line up against a team now coached by his father Sergio, who was this week appointed by Milan following Paulo Fonseca’s departure.

Juve boss Motta, though, has no doubts over Conceicao’s mentality ahead of a potential family reunion.

Ahead of the Supercoppa Italiana clash in Saudi Arabia, Motta said: “We’ll see if he plays or not, he’s motivated to do well both from the start and during the match.

“I don’t think it changes anything for him; facing a great team is the only thing he needs to focus on.

Motta added that he treated Milan as a difficult opponent no matter the coach.

“We will definitely be ready because we know what we need to do against a great team, accustomed to important competitions,” he said.

“What matters will be what we do, not what they do.”

Upping the intensity pic.twitter.com/61WeUon08A

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) January 2, 2025

There have been three previous meetings between Juve and Milan in the Supercoppa Italiana.

Juve won the most recent such game, coming out on top 1-0 in 2019.

The Bianconeri have won the tournament a record nine times. They have lost only one of their last 31 games in all competitions (W13 D17), in October against Stuttgart in the Champions League.

That being said, Juve are nine points behind Serie A leaders Atalanta, so the Supercoppa presents an ideal opportunity to get their hands on some silverware.