Zambro warns 'diver' Nedved Monday 19 June, 2006
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Pavel Nedved faces many of his Juventus teammates on Thursday and Gianluca Zambrotta has warned him not to con the referee.
“It’s not true that Pavel is a serial diver, but if he does try to get clever, I’ll deal with him,” smiled the full-back ahead of the crunch match in Group E.
Zambrotta returned from a thigh injury and was one of the Azzurri’s best players in the much-criticised 1-1 draw against the United States, but he assures the fans have reason to remain optimistic, as a draw is enough to see them through.
“We have two results at our disposal to reach the final 16, so we’re not worried. Obviously, this team started out to win the World Cup and that’s what we continue to hope, but there can be many factors involved in picking the winner.”
Marcello Lippi blamed the poor performance against America on complacency caused by the Italian media’s excessive praise after the Ghana win, but the Press has now gone in completely the opposite direction.
“What irritates me is the fact that there is no balance when it comes to talking about the Nazionale in Italy,” added Zambrotta. “After the 2-0 over Ghana it was as if we were already in the Final, then just five days later we’re treated like minnows making their World Cup debut. It’s excessive, but by now we know how it works in Italy.”
The Juventus defender saw his career given a whole new lease of life by Lippi, who transformed him from a right winger to a left-back, so he knows the Coach well and is impressed by the new attitude brought to the side.
“We are more determined and convinced of our abilities than in the past. We prepare for games in a different way, as we act like a club side. We all know what we want: to go all the way in this competition.”
However, the former Bari man could also use this World Cup as a shop window, as he refused to commit his future to Juventus with the Calciopoli scandal still hanging over their heads.
“Juve are one of the greatest clubs in the football firmament and I have a contract until 2010. I haven’t decided anything yet, as we’ll have to wait and see the verdicts and what the club’s intentions are. Real Madrid are interested in me? It’s obviously pleasing to know, but they are the Galacticos and I’m not.”
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