Mancio crowns rivals Juve
Friday 10 February, 2006
Roberto Mancini insists it will be impossible to challenge Juventus for the Scudetto even if Inter win the crunch game between them on Sunday.
The Nerazzurri have the opportunity to cut Juve’s lead to six points at the weekend, but boss Mancini insists the Bianconeri are in pole position to retain their title.
“It won’t matter if we win against Juve and close the gap, it will be impossible to re-open the title race,” said Mancio.
“Even if we play to our very best over the next few games it will too hard.”
Asked which two Juve stars he would prefer not to be playing, the Sampdoria legend sighed and claimed that even with half a team they would still not be easy to beat.
“Juventus are a great club and have many experienced top class players. It would be hard to pick out their two best as they are all excellent,” he continued.
“Emerson is an extraordinary player, but so are Patrick Vieira, Mauro Camoranesi and the rest.”
However, Mancini did warn his defenders to be on guard against the Turin side’s strike force, a partnership which he fears.
“For me, David Trezeguet and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are the two that really make the difference,” revealed the ex-Lazio boss.
The ‘Derby d’Italia’, as it is known in the peninsula, is set to be a heated affair and Mancini has no desire to share the points, even if that may prove difficult.
“It will be a hard game on Sunday whoever plays but we will still be looking to win, get back to our strengths and consolidate our second place,” he continued.
“Our position is still the same and we must not let Wednesday’s defeat upset us as we still played good football.”
The Milan giants, who fell to a 2-0 defeat at the Stadio Delle Alpi in October, lost 2-1 at Fiorentina in midweek.
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