Juventus defender Federico Gatti will start for Juventus tomorrow against Inter Milan despite having recently lost his place to Danilo.
This according to today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews. They report that Bianconeri coach Thiago Motta is ready to put his trust in the 26-year-old.
In the last week, there have been some rumblings about a rift between Gatti and his coach Motta.
The former Frosinone has become a key defender for Juventus. All the more so with Bremer on the sidelines for the coming months with a knee injury.
Gatti had become a favourite under Max Allegri because of his physical, no-nonsense approach, as well as his propensity for important goals.
And with Bremer out, the physicality and man-marking of Gatti would seem to be all the more vital for Juventus.
But Motta has gone a different route over the last couple matches.
Federico Gatti To Regain Place For Juventus Vs Inter
Against Lazio last weekend, Gatti started. But as Juventus were pushing for a winner against a ten-man Biancocelesti, Motta decided to withdraw the Italian international for Danilo.
The veteran former Real Madrid and Manchester City defender did give the Bianconeri more of an impetus in possession.
That, above all, was what Motta wanted to see from his team.
And the Juventus coach decided to give Danilo the start against Stuttgart in the Champions League in midweek. That meant that Gatti dropped to the bench.
The 26-year-old also did not come on as a substitute, as Juventus lost 1-0.
This has led to some speculation that Gatti may be falling out of favour with Motta.
But according to Tuttosport, the Juventus coach will put his trust in Gatti tomorrow.
Motta will want a physical presence in the penalty area against an opponent as formidable as Inter. And he backs Gatti to come in and provide that.