Capello: We got the job done Sunday 12 March, 2006
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Fabio Capello and his Juventus players are happy to have achieved their objective by holding Milan and insist there’s more to football than entertainment.
“We did not choose to be prudent, but there were moments when Milan had the upper hand and when we took control,” said the Coach after their 0-0 draw. “The Rossoneri needed a victory and we didn’t, so there was a difference in motivation and that showed. This was a tough game and was always going to be difficult, but the result was the most important thing.”
The lead-up to this match was dominated by debate over whether Juve were the best team in Italy for their results or Milan for their entertaining play. In an encounter where some would suggest the Bianconeri tried to batten down the hatches, it brought the discussion to the fore again.
“Football depends on the players at your disposal. If you have fast people then you try to pass it around quickly, but if they are more solid then you aim to maintain possession. A play is only as entertaining as its actors, but above all you get applause at the end if you get the result.”
The performances of the two sides were not helped by a Stadio Delle Alpi field that was in its worst condition for a long time, as players repeatedly slipped on the sandy turf.
“We have been saying for a long time that this pitch makes life difficult for us and a technical team like Milan had similar problems. Something has to be done about it and hopefully as the temperature warms up in Spring the grass will grow.”
Capello reveals that the tempo was the key to controlling the Rossoneri, as the midfield had to close down their sprinters.
“Milan have two or three players who can give them a change of pace, above all Serginho and Kaka. It’s no coincidence that most of their chances were created down the left flank.”
Once again, Alessandro Del Piero started from the bench and replaced Zlatan Ibrahimovic at half-time, while Adrian Mutu was a surprise choice on the flank.
“I thought it right to introduce Del Piero, as he helps out the midfield and could take away some of Andrea Pirlo’s dominance in the centre. As for Zlatan, there is something in the Balkan nature that makes him want to do something extraordinary when simplicity would do! Mauro Camoranesi is carrying an injury, but above all I needed someone fast who could worry Serginho on the break.”
Gennaro Gattuso’s red card left Milan in 10 men and the fiery midfielder appeared to aim a few phrases at Capello as he left the field.
“Gattuso swore at me on his way out, but he had his mind in the game and these things are understandable,” said the Coach.
Emerson admits he was disappointed with the overall performance, even if Juve got the job done on the night.
“We cannot say the title is ours as there are a lot of games left, but we have a good chunk of it in our grasp,” said the Brazilian. “I think we could’ve done more tonight and tried to go for the win, but this result is acceptable. We were both a little tired after the Champions League and have a little more time to recover over the next week.”