Lippi lets Del Piero loose
Saturday 24 April, 2004
Marcello Lippi has confirmed that Alessandro Del Piero will play against Lecce and prepares to field an all-attack line-up.
“We will try to make the most of all the weapons at our disposal,” noted the Juventus boss. “I saw the side work with the right determination and concentration, so we have the chance to catch Roma in second place.”
Finishing as runner-up would enable Juve to avoid the Champions’ League preliminary round next season, but four points currently separate the two teams.
This match is eagerly awaited for the return of captain Del Piero, who sat on the bench throughout last week’s 2-2 draw at Parma.
“This will be the last time that Del Piero has to start from the bench,” assured Lippi following his recovery from a calf strain. “This is the final step on his journey to full fitness.”
The Italian international has missed much of the campaign with two different muscular strains and is even a doubt for the Euro 2004 tournament.
Juventus have struggled in recent weeks and only earned a win over Lazio and a draw at Parma with last-gasp goals.
“I enjoyed our performances in the last fortnight and hope that this Lecce game is on the same level. We only really had the wrong approach in the 3-2 defeat to Inter.”
Lecce have already troubled the reigning Champions with a 1-1 draw in Week 14, but the Bianconeri will come out with all guns blazing.
Lippi is considering an all-attack squad with Gianluca Zambrotta in his fullback role, David Trezeguet as lone striker with support from Marco Di Vaio, Pavel Nedved and Fabrizio Miccoli.
Alessio Tacchinardi is out for the season with a muscular problem, while Antonio Conte is still out of action, so Igor Tudor takes that midfield position.
Juventus squad: Buffon, Ferrara, Tudor, Pessotto, Miccoli, Del Piero, Nedved, Chimenti, Iuliano, Maresca, Birindelli, Trezeguet, Appiah, Zambrotta, Di Vaio, Thuram, Legrottaglie, Boudianski
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Mic, Ned and DV behind Trez. I like the idea.
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