Ranieri reinvents Nedved Saturday 4 April, 2009
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Claudio Ranieri tries to put Inter out of his mind and focus Juventus on Chievo, as Pavel Nedved is given a new role. “It may even tempt him to play for another year.”
Nedved has stated this will be his final season, although several figures in the club have urged him to reconsider.
“With so many players missing, this week in training I tried him out as a central midfielder,” explained the Coach.
“When we have been in a difficult situation he has always sacrificed himself for the team, playing in the middle of the park.
“Who knows, maybe this new opportunity could convince Pavel to reconsider and tempt him to play with us for another year. I’m putting the bait out there and will see what happens.
“I admire him a great deal and would be very happy to make him change his mind. Is the club looking for his replacement? There have been some names mentioned, but we are talking about a different position.”
Once again today the reports emerged that Werder Bremen star Diego is in advanced negotiations for a summer switch to Turin.
Other options include Napoli’s Marek Hamsik, French international Franck Ribery and David Silva.
Meanwhile, Ranieri must deal with injuries ahead of Sunday’s match with Chievo, missing Momo Sissoko, Amauri, Albin Ekdal, Nicola Legrottaglie, Cristiano Zanetti and Alex Manninger.
However, Mauro Camoranesi and Paolo De Ceglie are back in the squad for the first time in over a month.
“Chievo are a solid unit who caused us all sorts of problems in the first leg, so it will be tough tomorrow,” continued the Juve boss.
“We must be wide awake and determined. It is a risky game, because a month ago Chievo seemed to be done for and now they are almost safe. I hope our quality emerges on the field.”
Naturally Ranieri was asked about rival Jose Mourinho’s recent interview on Chiambretti Night, in which he suggested winning a Scudetto with Inter “makes me like Robin Hood,” but the Juventus tactician was in no mood to play television critic.
“I saw a bit of it and changed channel. I certainly wouldn’t go on that show. In these final weeks of the season what counts is not only the head-to-head with Inter on April 18, as we have nine games to play and must win all of them, starting from Chievo.”
Juventus squad: Buffon, Chiellini, Mellberg, Zebina, Salihamidzic, Iaquinta, Del Piero, Nedved, Chimenti, Camoranesi, Trezeguet, Poulsen, Marchisio, Giovinco, Grygera, Molinaro, De Ceglie, Tiago, Marchionni.
Channel 4