Ranieri closes Trez row
Saturday 14 March, 2009
Claudio Ranieri praised Sebastian Giovinco and insisted the argument with David Trezeguet “is over.”
Juventus crushed Bologna 4-1 this evening, but were trailing 1-0 at the break before Giovinco inspired a comeback.
“We were a little too passive in the first half and couldn't set our tempo. The midfield was a bit stretched out too, made worse by the fact Bologna had an extra man in there,” explained Ranieri.
“In the second half we stepped on the accelerator and it was a really great performance.”
With Pavel Nedved injured, Giovinco played left midfield and proved decisive. So have Juve found the post-Nedved man for that position?
“We have not found a new Nedved, we have found Giovinco. The boy has talent and had already shown he could spark a reaction in the side during the last half-hour against Chelsea. We must give him time to grow.
“Obviously by playing more often he will create a better rapport with his teammates, but I always expected him to combine well with [Alessandro] Del Piero.
“It is important to point out he is not a Nedved replacement. He moves in a very different way and that affects the movements of the whole midfield and attack.”
Tinkerman transformed the side by replacing Tiago Mendes with Christian Poulsen at half-time, but tried not to pin the blame on the Portuguese midfielder.
“He was very tired at the end of the first half and told me he really couldn't do what he wanted to. It was everything that turned it around, from the goal to increased determination and confidence.”
The last few days have been dominated by the public row with Trezeguet, who complained to newspapers that he did not agree with Ranieri's decision to substitute him against Chelsea.
“There was a discussion and it's over,” assured the Coach.
“He doesn't have to earn back my trust, as that has always been with him. As far as I am concerned, the matter is done with. These are internal matters and when the club wants to comment, it will.
“I said my piece in a frank and tough manner, as this is how the locker room works when you want to win something.
“I just tried to point out what was the right way to behave in the locker room. That's it.”
Bianconeri general manager Jean-Claude Blanc commented on the affair by noting: “There are rules at Juventus, Ranieri did well to remind everybody of them.”
It remains to be seen whether Trezeguet will remain in Turin next season after this outburst.
“We are rebuilding Juventus and it is still an on-going process,” explained Ranieri. “Now we need to understand who wants to take on this responsibility, as the Coach and club cannot do it on their own.
“This is the same speech I gave the squad at the start of the season and the situation hasn't changed. We need those players who feel they are a part of this club and the plans for the future.”
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