Trez can handle Juve trident
Sunday 8 August, 2004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Juventus have precious few alternatives for Tuesday’s crunch tie with Djurgarden, but David Trezeguet wants an all-out trident attack.
“We know that we will be facing a team that won’t leave us much room for manoeuvre and can put eleven men in defence,” he noted of the Swedish champions, “but at Juventus you can’t beat around the bush. We must try to win both home and away.”
The transfer market hasn’t given Coach Fabio Capello many alternatives upfront, while injuries have ruled out Pavel Nedved, Mauro Camoranesi, Mark Iuliano and possibly Lilian Thuram, Igor Tudor and Paolo Montero as well.
“Fabrizio Miccoli, Alessandro Del Piero and myself are on fine form,” assured the Frenchman. “Alex is particularly geared up for this game and he is always very concentrated when the Coach is imparting advice.”
“It is very important for my style of play that Del Piero is doing well. With Miccoli in such good condition as well, it would be a shame to leave one of us on the bench.”
It is possible Capello will field the trident upfront, something he often did at Roma over the last couple of seasons, although that can leave a weak defence open to the counter-attack.
The real changes over the summer have been in the midfield, where Emerson has quickly taken a leading role.
“I must give Emerson my compliments,” noted Trezeguet. “He is a great Champion and one who is already proving his qualities in a Juve jersey.”
The Bianconeri have been far from sparkling during their pre-season friendlies, leaking goals and scoring with great difficulty, but Trezeguet is confident that will pass.
“This is the first major test of the season and those friendly games don’t count. We have until now been doing very heavy fitness training, but today started working in a different way to best prepare for the Djurgarden match.”