Fan vs Fan: Juventus - AC Milan
Juventus die-hard Dino Distefano goes head-to-head with AC Milan supporter Roberto Rivera ahead of the two sides' meeting in Turin on Saturday....
Fan vs Fan: Juventus - AC Milan
GOAL: First of all, how do you feel about your side's season so far?
Dino Distefano (Juventus): I am happy with what Juventus have done, after all it is their first season back from Serie B. I feel that they still need to work on consistency though as they have blown hot and cold. We seem to do well against the big clubs but stutter against the smaller ones.
Roberto Rivera (AC Milan): It has been an awful season for us. We have struggled mightily, and now risk not qualifying for the Champions League.
GOAL: What were the goals at the start? How have they been revised, if at all?
DD: Our goals at the start were to win the Scudetto and qualify for the Champions league. However we always knew the Scudetto was impossible, the Champions League however is a different story and we are bound to be in it next season.
RR: We wanted to challenge for the title, but we just simply want to finish in the top four now. It’s sad to say, because fourth place should not be our goal at all, we should have been near the top of the standings.
GOAL: How important is this game in that regard?
DD: This game is extremely important for our Champions League qualification. We have to beat Milan to keep them at bay or they will be right back in the race. It’s a crucial game and hopefully we’ll win. If we don’t then our season could be over.
RR: We probably have to win this match. Fiorentina are four points ahead of us, and with only six matches remaining in the season, we can gain on them by winning this fixture, as they play away to Inter Milan.
GOAL: How do you rate your opponents' season?
DD: I am really surprised with the Rossoneri’s season thus far. I was never expecting their under achieving campaign. They have been poor in Serie A and their Champions League display was shocking considering they were defending champions. It’s a shame as I was expecting better but perhaps they were made to pay for their efforts in the Club World Cup.
RR: They have played great, overall. There have been a few slip-ups, but in general, they have surprised everyone with how well they have done.
GOAL: Who do you think has the edge heading into this weekend's game and why?
DD: I don’t think anyone has the edge. On paper both sides are strong and they can easily beat each other. It all depends on who wants it more. It’s going to be a tough game but if Juve play like they did against Inter then it’s arrivederci Milan.
RR: The advantage may lie with Milan. Kaka returned to play last weekend, and was terrific in ripping apart the Cagliari defense for the entire ninety minutes. Juventus stumbled last weekend against Palermo, and we could take advantage of their recent uneven play.
GOAL: Tactically, where do you think the key to this game will lie?
DD: I think it will be a midfield battle. Milan have an armoured tank in midfield which can defend like a British Mark One Tank and attack like a German Panzer. Milan have incredible players in midfield who can turn the game on its head. But Juve have veterans like Nedved and strength in Sisoko as well as skill, trickery and pace in Camoranesi so it should be interesting.
RR: For us, it is in midfield. Our strikers are hit or miss for the most part, and our defense will be threadbare for this match, with Nesta and Kaladze both suspended. We need Pirlo to regain form and play well.
GOAL: Which opposition player do you consider to be the greatest threat to your team in this clash?
DD: It has to be Kaka. The player is class although he has not had a great season. However he has all the qualities to send Juve to the lions. Everyone will be aware of his talents and he needs to be shackled. If he is allowed to do his magic then it’s over for the Old Lady.
RR: Despite his age (or possibly because of his age), it is Alessandro Del Piero. He has regained his best form, and he can pick apart any defense.
GOAL: Would you want him in your team?
DD: No, we had the chance to sign him years ago but back then Luciano Moggi didn’t sign him because his name sounded similar to an offensive Italian word and so he went to Milan instead. I don’t think Kaka would fit in with the Juventus style or tactical set up
RR: Yes, and I believe we could find a spot for him in the squad. You can never have too many good, experienced attacking players, especially in a league like the Serie A, where the play is so heavily reliant upon tactical awareness.
GOAL: What are your team’s strengths at the moment?
DD: Our trength is that we have managed to keep our top players in good shape, such as Del Piero and Trezeguet. We have not had any major injuries apart from Andrade so I would say that keeping a strong squad together has been our strength.
RR: Presently, we don’t really have any obvious strengths, but the resolve to come together and get the necessary results is something we have always possessed - at least in the past!
GOAL: And weaknesses?
DD: A Lack of consistency week in week out, we win three or four on the trot and then we end up losing. This has been our weakness as we have not managed to keep a good run going.
RR: We are without so many players due to injury. Our defenders and strikers have been dropping like flies all season, and this current moment is no different. Once again, we will have to rely on the midfielders for goals.
GOAL: Who from your team should we keep a particular eye on here?
DD: Buffon. The goalkeeper has made some outstanding saves this season which have kept us in the hunt for success. He has been brilliant for us recently and I believe he will be they key when it comes to stopping people like Seedorf and Kaka who like shooting from distance.
RR: Undoubtedly, is it Kaka. He is playing great football right now, and will be instrumental in whatever result we get from this match. Ronaldo may have the limelight in Europe, but Kaka's still a legendary player.
GOAL: Who is your all time number one hate figure, or object of amusement, from their lot?
DD: I don’t really hate anyone from their team. But Dida has been a joke ever since he joined the club. I can’t believe he is still there. I know he won’t play against Juve but he has been ridiculous this season.
RR: I have always respected what Juventus have accomplished, and they are an entertaining side to watch. I also enjoyed watching Gianluca Vialli, who could really play well when he wanted to.
GOAL: What would you envy about them, if anything?
DD: All their Champions League trophies! But this saeson, not much. Kaka, maybe.
RR: The number of Scudetto titles they have. They are approaching thirty total, and we have yet to reach twenty. But with heavy investment in the summer, we can begin to rectify that.
GOAL: What was the best bit of business ever done between the two clubs?
DD: For them it has to be Inzaghi moving from Turin to Milan. Inzaghi has served them greatly and his goals won them a Champions League. Inzaghi has been better for them than he was with us.
RR: Filippo Inzaghi was a great pickup for us, as he contributed heavily to the Champions League titles we have won in 2003 and 2007. It was widely believed that he didn’t have much left in his tank when he left Juve, but he has proved everyone wrong, as evidenced by his brace last weekend.
GOAL: What's your fondest memory of past clashes against them?
DD: It has to be the 6-1 drubbing that we dealt them in 1997 in San Siro. This was my fondest memory. Vieri who played for us back then was on fire and he destroyed them. What a great game that was. Perhaps one of the best ever games against them.
RR: Our defeat of Juventus in the Champions League final in 2003 (albeit on penalty kicks) was a tense affair, but satisfying nonetheless. Both sides played tight at the back, but also put in some good attacking play. In the end, however, Andriy Shevchenko sent Gigi Buffon the wrong way and scored the decisive penalty.
GOAL: What do you think the score of this match will be, and how will it affect your week?
DD: I think it will be a 2-2 draw. The spoils will be shared but it won’t affect my week. Even if we lose. Because I know who’ll be in the Champions League this season and it won’t be Milan.
RR: A prediction for this match really is tough to call. Juventus have the capacity to beat anyone, as evidenced by their win away to Inter two weeks ago. But Milan are in need of three points, and will go all out to secure the away win. I firmly believe we can get the victory, but that doesn’t mean we will. I think we will get a draw, which will suffice most likely, since Fiorentina play away to Inter on Sunday, and a loss there will help us close the gap for fourth place.
GOAL: Thank you both for your time!