Deschamps keeps it real Friday 23 March, 2007
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Didier Deschamps has underlined that Juventus will need to spend big in the summer if they hope to be immediately competitive in Serie A.
Both FIAT President Luca Cordero Di Montezemolo and director general Jean-Claude Blanc have optimistically predicted that the side will fight for major honours next term, but the tactician is keeping his feet on the ground.
“As I have already said, as it stands this squad can’t fight for the Scudetto,” noted the Coach on Friday.
“But if this group of players is confirmed and a number of new players arrive then I could change my mind.
“My evaluation shouldn’t hamper anyone’s desire to be ambitious. I’m ambitious too, but I have to be objective.
“I don’t want to wipe out our dream, because we all must continue to give our all for the team,” he continued.
“However, there are clubs who will be favoured over us and we must keep this in mind. We can’t think that one year will be enough to reach their level.
“We will be competitive and we can fight for the top positions, but it wouldn’t be logical to think that we are as strong as Milan, Inter and Roma.”
Juventus won’t be in action domestically this weekend given that international commitments have seen their Week 31 showdown against Napoli rescheduled for April 10.
As a result, the Old Lady of Italian football will face Standard Liege in a friendly match on Saturday evening instead.
“I will field the players who have had less opportunities to play so far,” added Deschamps, who is set to field Primavera starlet Sebastian Giovinco.
“This match will give us the chance to taste European football again, taking advantage of the international break.”