Capello curses sluggish start Tuesday 5 April, 2005
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Fabio Capello is cursing Juve’s sluggish start to the Champions’ League quarter-final, but believes they’ll eliminate Liverpool.
“We just didn’t play for the first half-hour,” noted the Coach after a 2-1 defeat at Anfield. “We had the chances after that and didn’t have the luck to take them, but for the opening 30 minutes Liverpool were the only team on the field."
"We weren’t aggressive or accustomed to the constant pressure they were putting on us, but once you push Liverpool then their defence does give way.”
Sami Hyypia took advantage of a defensive error from a set-piece – just as Real Madrid had done in the last round – before Luis Garcia turned in a spectacular goal from 30 metres.
“When you strike the ball from distance then you always hope it’ll end up like Luis Garcia’s goal,” smiled Capello. “This was a difficult game against a team that really plays its best on home turf. Our approach was wrong and I take responsibility, but I am satisfied with our performance after the break.”
The half-time substitution, introducing Gianluca Pessotto for Manuele Blasi, proved crucial as Juve were a different team after the break.
“Pessotto is the kind of player who can get the ball moving quickly, but above all covers Gianluca Zambrotta on his runs. I liked the performance in the second half and the team as a whole really got back on track after Liverpool’s second goal.”
Juventus must win at the Delle Alpi next Wednesday evening, but a 1-0 result would be enough to see them through on the away goals rule.
“Our finishing left something to be desired, but I believe that after our first half showing this counts as a positive result,” continued Capello. “It’s not easy to find the right mindset after being away for a while and the break for Easter and then the Serie A postponement didn’t help us.”
The Bianconeri could easily have drawn 2-2 at Anfield, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic hit the upright and Alessandro Del Piero had a perfectly good goal disallowed for offside. Pavel Nedved was also making his comeback after suffering head trauma against Madrid in late February.
“Every time Zlatan gets the ball he is crowded out by three players. He’s not very lucky with his finishing at the moment, but he is a very important player for Juventus. Nedved is a special player and I was fully satisfied with his performance. I’d say that for the final hour the whole team did well.”
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has not hidden his admiration for Capello and gave his view on beating the tactician.
“We were aggressive and needed that for a game like this against Juve,” said the Spaniard. “I am happy with the first half, but the Bianconeri were better after the break and maintained possession well. We have a week to get some injured players back, such as Jerzy Dudek, but it’ll be difficult for Xabi Alonso to return in time.”
Juve star Gianluca Zambrotta gave an insight into the locker room atmosphere at half-time. “Capello was extremely angry during the break, but he didn’t tell us anything we didn’t already know about our own performance. It was clear for all to see that we had to wake up.”
“I think we stepped onto the field without the right determination and were always second to the ball,” said the fullback. “We realised we couldn’t carry on like that and came on for the second half with a different psychological approach.”
“We proved in the second half that if we put Liverpool under pressure then they will struggle. Considering how it was going, we can be happy with the 2-1 result and clearly there are regrets as we should’ve done so much better.”
This was the first meeting of the two clubs since the Heysel disaster and several former players – including Michel Platini and Ian Rush – walked out before kick-off in a show of friendship.
“I wanted to commemorate the 20th anniversary of this tragic event with the two sets of fans,” explained ex-Juve star Platini.
“Liverpool were exceptional in the first half, but I think Juventus will qualify as they are the better team and started to prove that after the break. With the disallowed goal and Zlatan Ibrahimovic hitting the woodwork they had some great chances.”
source: channel4.com
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