Yea why would Motta decide to create unnecessary tensions with the captain of the squad in the very first weeks of the season, makes little sense especially after he scored twice in preseason and didn’t look half as bad, even if he wanted to bench him he would have at least used him on as a sub late on if needed…
Not to say he will be an automatic starter or anything like that, just expect it to be a smoother transition, think his exclusion now is more fitness related.