Ranieri juggles Juve demands
Saturday 28 February, 2009
Claudio Ranieri explained his tactical choices, how Juventus recovered from the Champions League and how he'll approach the second leg with Chelsea.
“It was important to win after the Champions League game and it isn't easy to get back that determination and concentration,” he said after a 1-0 result against Napoli.
“The lads had a great first half, but then Napoli lost that initial tension and threw everything they had at us. Nonetheless, [Gigi] Buffon had precious little to do.
“It was difficult as Napoli closed up all the spaces and tried to hit us on the break, we were fortunate to get that goal right before the break.”
They only won thanks to Manuele Blasi's deflection on a wayward Claudio Marchisio effort from distance.
Sebastian Giovinco replaced Pavel Nedved on the left flank, but Ranieri was jeered by the fans when substituting the youngster for the more defensive Hasan Salihamidzic.
“This season he has played in that position of the 4-4-2. At times when I was missing strikers I'd put him more central, which may be where he gives his best, but with Nedved needing a rest I thought it right to give Giovinco a chance.
“I wanted to leave [Marco] Marchionni's experience behind the strikers and introduce Amauri, who provides strength and holds up the ball.”
Marchisio has been one of the more impressive young players and Ranieri praised those who have kept Juventus afloat during an injury crisis.
“The season we've had has seen all the lads make their contribution. If we are where we are it is thanks to all those relatively new players who put the effort in when others were injured and I thank them for their contribution.
“Marchisio and [Christian] Poulsen put a lot of work in and closed down the Napoli attacks brilliantly. They really protected the defence in a quiet but decisive system to close down [Ezequiel] Lavezzi.”
There was more bad news, as Nicola Legrottaglie limped off the field with a suspected sprained knee.
“Legrottaglie said he sprained his knee. We'll test it tomorrow and I hope it's nothing too serious, but he did ask to leave the pitch.”
At the moment Juventus are six points adrift of Inter, who take on Roma on Sunday evening.
“For the good of the season, I will be supporting Roma!” smiled the Coach who is from the Eternal City.
Champions League rivals Chelsea hardly impressed this week either, as they squeezed past Wigan 2-1 in stoppages.
“I do not puff myself up at all. Chelsea are a great side who only lost the Champions League on penalties last season. They are a candidate to win it this time too.
“We are humble and know it is going to be difficult, but the 1-0 defeat was not a surprise or a big disappointment.
“We must leave the field exhausted and with our heads held high.”