Capello considers Miccoli gamble
Monday 9 August, 2004
Juventus must beat Djurgarden at the Delle Alpi tomorrow evening, but injury worries could push Fabio Capello into a gamble on Fabrizio Miccoli.
“I am confident,” stated the Coach, “because I can see that the players are nearly at peak fitness and we have been working all month with the express intention of being ready for this European match.”
Swedish outfit Djurgarden were considered among the easiest possible draws for the Champions’ League preliminary round, but the tactician is cautious as ever.
“They are a loose cannon in this competition,” warned Capello. “I have only seen videotapes of them so far, but they seem to be an organised and pacey side. Their players are also fairly tall, so they will be a danger on set-pieces.”
The Bianconeri are without a series of star names, as Mauro German Camoranesi, Pavel Nedved and the suspended Jonathan Zebina are out of action. Giorgio Chiellini and Stephen Appiah are also out of contention due to their participation in the Athens Olympics.
“It is my first Champions’ League qualifier,” confessed the former Roma boss, “but everyone must adapt and get into gear from the very first minute.”
These worries could push Capello to make some major changes, above all fielding a trident attack with Alessandro Del Piero and Fabrizio Miccoli supporting David Trezeguet.
The ex-Perugia starlet has been perhaps the form man of the summer for Juve and has probably done enough to earn himself a starting place for this crunch match.
Lilian Thuram has recovered from a shoulder injury to start on the right side of defence, while Gianluca Pessotto can step in if Gianluca Zambrotta is pushed further up the field.
Another option is to include Miccoli upfront, with the versatile Zambrotta switching to his old right wing position.
Probable Juventus line-up: Buffon; Thuram, Ferrara, Legrottaglie, Pessotto; Zambrotta, Tacchinardi, Emerson, Miccoli; Del Piero, Trezeguet
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