Tacconi backs Juve
Legendary goalkeeper Stefano Tacconi has backed Juventus to beat Genoa this evening and 'put fear into Inter'.
The 53-year-old who played for both Juventus and Genoa in the late `80s and early `90s likes the Bianconeri's chances of winning the Scudetto.
“Juventus are a team that, like Genoa, are in a stage of growth and they are looking to return to the limelight in Europe,” Tacconi said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“They already seem to be in a much better position than last year.”
A winner of pretty much everything at club level, Tacconi is fairly sure Juventus already have everything necessary to compete for honours.
“It's the same Old Lady, what with important rules and serious professionals who are hungry for success. And then technically the team has also improved thanks to the signings of Diego and Fabio Grosso,” Tacconi explained.
Asked if Diego is the Michel Platini of his time, Tacconi replied: “Diego has quality, but he still has to plenty to show. You can't judge a player on one game or on the performances of one month. With respect to Platini or Maradona, Diego is a different player. He is more of a striker.”
Tacconi then turned his attention to the position he knows best and heaped praise on Gigi Buffon.
“He has resolved his physical problems and is back to his old self. He is one of the best in that position. Buffon and Julio Cesar are two great players. They are the elite in that position along with Petr Cech and Iker Casillas.”
Finally, Tacconi gave his prediction for tonight's all-important match between Juventus and Genoa.
“I hope Juve win for the good of Italian football, because they can frighten their title rivals. These [away] games are more crucial than those played at home.
“Another success like that achieved against Roma will allow Juve to once again strike fear into the hearts of the opposition and first of all into Inter, just like in the past,” Tacconi concluded.
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