Ranieri: Just No Letting Up
Juventus boss Claudio Ranieri has warned his team against complacency as they look to follow up their thrilling victory against Milan by taking maximum points from Parma on Wednesday.
The Bianconeri are almost sure to qualify for the Champions League next season if they manage two more wins, and Ranieri is not in the mood to draw out the suspense.
“I don’t want to see my side relax,” he insisted. “I want the lads to give everything at the end of the season as that also helps for next year.
“We are coming out of the final bend and it can’t even cross our minds to switch off, but I’m sure that won’t happen.”
Ranieri can expect a hero's welcome when he returns to the Tardini, as he came in and rescued Parma from the grips of relegation last season. Now, the Ducati find themselves in a similarly perilous position as when he had taken over.
“It is a slight anomaly,” Ranieri sighed. “They really don’t deserve their League position. Even when they have played well, they have picked up few points.
“But Parma are worth more and we will need to be focused, combative and compact as we try to break the deadlock, otherwise it won’t be an easy game
“We have always struggled when games stay 0-0 for a long time. Parma will come here with the hunger of a side fighting for survival and I know all about that desire.
“You just have to see how Cagliari did here, even if they proved to be going through a good time and have proved that since.”
Ranieri went on to admit that Juventus' growing injury problems are giving him cause for concern, with Vincenzo Iaquinta, Cristiano Zanetti, Mohamed Sissoko and Pavel Nedved all out of tomorrow's makeup match.
“Unfortunately all the absences are concentrated in one area,” lamented Ranieri
“But I’m convinced that there will be a great spirit of selflessness and sacrifice.
“Mauro Camoranesi is one variable and the others have to do well and help support the way he plays.
“Nedved is in the squad and I will have to see whether I should pick him or not. He headed the ball yesterday, even without me asking whether he could.”
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