(Reuters) - Juventus manager Thiago Motta appeared satisfied with ending his side's run of draws after a 2-1 win at Monza on Sunday but acknowledged the game could have been sewn up earlier.
Juve's four-match streak of Serie A draws is over thanks to first-half goals from Weston McKennie and Nicolas Gonzalez.
"We have always struggled against teams that defend and go on the counter. We needed to kill off the game, this is part of the growth process, taking the extra risk against these teams and potentially allowing counter-attacks," Motta told DAZN.
"We were in the position to do the transitions with quality in the second half when we were in the lead, but we didn’t do it well enough."
Key midfielder Teun Koopmeiners was substituted at the break, with Motta confirming that he was uncomfortable and had been taken off as a precaution.
"Koopmeiners felt a bit of a pull in his adductor, we didn't want to risk it," he said.
Motta praised winger Gonzalez for his versatility after he played in the hole just behind striker Dusan Vlahovic.
"He can play on the right or left, as a centre-forward, but I also see him doing well there. I only ever use players in a role if they are convinced that they can do it."
Despite the win, Juventus remain nine points off leaders Atalanta but Motta said he did not look at the standings going into the holiday season.
"We only look at the table at the end of the season. Before that we take it one game at a time and try to aim for the maximum result against every opponent," he added.
Juve host fifth-placed Fiorentina, who also have 31 points, next Sunday, although the Florence club have two games in hand.
(Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk; Editing by Ken Ferris)
