Ranieri's Scudetto superstition
Saturday 29 November, 2008
Claudio Ranieri has explained why he says Juventus aren't aiming for the Scudetto. “Every time we said we were targeting the title, we lost!”
The Coach caused controversy this week when he stated that the Bianconeri were not in the running, but there could well be more to it.
“Inter are the ones who have the pressure to win the Scudetto, as they are the holders. Our aim is to improve the third place we had last term,” smiled Ranieri.
“I have always said that Inter and Milan are the favourites. We all said it, from the President to the man in charge of the kit.
“We say the same thing and depending on the circumstances the media twists it to mean we are targeting the title or giving up all hope.
“Besides, every time we said we were targeting the title, we then lost! I will tell you this: Do you think Gianluigi Buffon ever plays to finish second? Of course not.
“Inter and Milan have to win the title, whereas our role is to cause them all sorts of trouble. Anything more is a bonus.”
Ranieri's superstition aside, the Turin giants crushed Reggina 4-0 this evening to recover from their 1-0 loss to Inter last week.
“There are moments in a season when you don't reap what you sow. This time we scored more often, but the important thing is to create the chances.
“Compared to last term we are more united, have worked together for an extra year and the new players have settled in well. We have an excellent squad.”
Mauro Camoranesi opened the scoring despite struggling with a shoulder injury that meant he could barely move his right arm.
“The doctor told me that the more he held his arm straight, the more painful it would be. We have a great rapport with Mauro and when he told me to wait, I believed he could carry on.
“We had discussed the fact Reggina were always compact and closed down the spaces, so we had to move the ball around quickly.
“The state of the pitch didn't help, but they were causing us problems by pressing us in midfield, so it was crucial to break the deadlock.”
Sebastian Giovinco came off the bench amid the snowstorm over the Olimpico and earned the penalty for the fourth goal.
He has complained of a lack of playing time, so will Ranieri send him out again when David Trezeguet recovers?
“We already sent him out on loan to mature last season. Now he has to battle to win his place in the side. There is no point in him playing 20 games in another team, as he needs to earn his position at Juventus.
“It won't be easy, but this club means always asking for more and pushing yourself beyond your limitations.
“We called him back because we have great belief in Giovinco. He doesn't have a specific position yet, as he could be a support striker or wide left in a 4-4-2, where he played a lot for Empoli last term, which is why I didn't sign another player to be Nedved's understudy.”