Blanc blames Juve injuries Sunday 19 October, 2008
General manager Jean Claude Blanc admits “this is a difficult time for Juventus,” as Christian Poulsen joins the injury list.
“We give a vote of confidence to our Coach once, there is no need to discuss the matter again,” insisted the chief when asked about Claudio Ranieri’s future.
“Ranieri has the full faith of this club. We will carry on and try to improve. Obviously if we are in this situation then it is because we left a few elements and details by the wayside in the last couple of weeks.”
The Bianconeri have picked up just two points from their last four Serie A games and the 2-1 defeat at Napoli prompted fury from fans and Press.
“I had set our objective for this return from the international break as a victory to immediately renew our confidence,” said Blanc.
“I saw an aggressive Napoli side and we made some mistakes in defence. We know there is work to be done, but we must also analyse the injury situation.
“This is not an excuse, because we are Juventus and should win regardless of handicaps, but it is also true that we have paid a very heavy price for all these fitness problems.”
They made the trip to Napoli without Gianluigi Buffon, Mauro Camoranesi, Nicola Legrottaglie, Jonathan Zebina, David Trezeguet, Cristiano Zanetti, Vincenzo Iaquinta, Olof Mellberg, Tiago Mendes and the suspended Momo Sissoko.
During the San Paolo setback Danish midfielder Poulsen joined the list of eight players to have suffered muscular injuries this season, picking up an apparent right thigh strain.
He is out of Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid and of those sidelined only Iaquinta, Mellberg and Legrottaglie have hope of making it back in time.
Channel4