Grieving DD prepares for Bologna Monday 18 December, 2006
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Juventus Coach Didier Deschamps is trying to prepare his grieving side for Tuesday’s match against Bologna.
Youth team players Alessio Ferramosca and Riccardo Neri died in an accident at the club’s training centre in Vinovo on Friday, falling in a lake while trying to recover some footballs that had fallen into the water.
The tragic incident has hit everyone at the club hard, but the Bianconeri must now try to put their emotions aside for their top of the table clash with Bologna tomorrow
“We have carried out our preparations for tomorrow’s match, but it’s normal that we think of the grief the families of these two boys are going through,” said Deschamps.
“We have all been struck by this tragedy, these have been difficult days. In moments like this, football counts for very little,” added the Frenchman.
“In my opinion Bologna are better than both Napoli and Genoa, but I don’t know whether it will give us any concrete indications for the future.
“Bologna are well-organised and they have experienced players capable of making the difference.
“They are confident in their own ability and the fact that the stadium is sold out tomorrow will motivate them even more,” stated the former midfielder, who does not expect to start with David Trezeguet.
“He is available, although he’s still not quite 100 per cent. Alex Del Piero is in a better condition than him because he’s played at least half an hour,” concluded Deschamps.
Juventus are currently third in the table, three points behind Bologna, and the Bianconeri will play the game in hand with Cesena, which was postponed after Friday’s accident, sometime in 2007.
Juventus (probable): Buffon; Birindelli, Kovac, Boumsong, Chiellini; Camoranesi, Paro, Zanetti, Palladino; Del Piero, Zalayeta
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