Wicked switch for Zambrotta
Friday, 04 April 2003
By Marcus Christenson
Alessandro Del Piero, Pavel Nedved and David Trezeguet have all been in terrific form as Juventus FC have reached the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals and top spot in Serie A, but arguably Gianluca Zambrotta has been the most impressive Juventino this season. All the more so because coach Marcello Lippi has asked him to play out of position.
Injury problem
Recovering from a bad thigh injury sustained playing for Italy at the FIFA World Cup, Zambrotta started the 2002/03 season on the treatment table and saw new recruit Mauro Camoranesi dazzle his way into the starting eleven on the right of midfield. When Zambrotta returned after three months out, it was impossible to drop Camoranesi, and with Lilian Thuram performing well at right-back, Zambrotta was switched to the left side of defence.
Quick switch
Some players would have complained about being played in an unfamiliar role, but not Zambrotta. "The most important thing is that the team is playing well and winning, not where I am playing," he told uefa.com. "Things have been going well this season and I have played at left-back in the national team as well so I don't mind. It is up to Mr Trapattoni and Mr Lippi to decide."
Modest man
Things are going well? Zambrotta is being modest. The 26-year-old former Como Calcio and AS Bari player has been a revelation, defending like a seasoned left-back but still pushing forward like a winger.
No jealousy
And there is no jealousy over the fact that Camoranesi has taken 'his' position - for club and country. "Not at all," confirmed Zambrotta. "He has been a great signing for the club and there are no problems with us being in the same squad. We can play in different positions and there are so many games nowadays that you need to have every position covered if someone gets injured."
Keeping focused
Juventus are still in the hunt for the Scudetto and the Champions League and Zambrotta is adamant that his team can win the double. "Our objectives are to win both the league and the Champions League," he said. "We have done well so far and now, as the season enters a crucial phase, it is important that we don't lose our focus but that we carry on working hard. If we don't do that we might end the season without winning anything."
Change of pattern
FC Barcelona will be Juve's quarter-final opponents in the Champions League. Zambrotta is only too aware that Spanish sides have outperformed their Italian counterparts over the past few years - but believes that this season will see a change of the pattern.
I think that Italian teams want to make up for what has happened in the past few years, when we haven't been that successful
Italian comeback
"I think that Italian teams want to make up for what has happened in the past few years, when we haven't been that successful," he said. "We are all fighting for the image of Italian football, and with three Italian sides in the quarter-finals, we have started to rebuild the picture of Italian club football."
Mighty Madrid
So which team did he believe is Juve's strongest competitors for the Champions League? "Well it could be Real Madrid [CF] now that they have qualified for the last eight," he replied. "But in the end I hope that an Italian team will win the competition and I obviously hope that it will be Juventus."
Crucial role
Wherever he plays - in midfield or in defence, on the left or on the right - if Juve are to win their first Champions League since 1996, the in-form Zambrotta is sure to play a crucial role.
uefa.com magazine![Cool :cool: :cool:](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Friday, 04 April 2003
By Marcus Christenson
Alessandro Del Piero, Pavel Nedved and David Trezeguet have all been in terrific form as Juventus FC have reached the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals and top spot in Serie A, but arguably Gianluca Zambrotta has been the most impressive Juventino this season. All the more so because coach Marcello Lippi has asked him to play out of position.
Injury problem
Recovering from a bad thigh injury sustained playing for Italy at the FIFA World Cup, Zambrotta started the 2002/03 season on the treatment table and saw new recruit Mauro Camoranesi dazzle his way into the starting eleven on the right of midfield. When Zambrotta returned after three months out, it was impossible to drop Camoranesi, and with Lilian Thuram performing well at right-back, Zambrotta was switched to the left side of defence.
Quick switch
Some players would have complained about being played in an unfamiliar role, but not Zambrotta. "The most important thing is that the team is playing well and winning, not where I am playing," he told uefa.com. "Things have been going well this season and I have played at left-back in the national team as well so I don't mind. It is up to Mr Trapattoni and Mr Lippi to decide."
Modest man
Things are going well? Zambrotta is being modest. The 26-year-old former Como Calcio and AS Bari player has been a revelation, defending like a seasoned left-back but still pushing forward like a winger.
No jealousy
And there is no jealousy over the fact that Camoranesi has taken 'his' position - for club and country. "Not at all," confirmed Zambrotta. "He has been a great signing for the club and there are no problems with us being in the same squad. We can play in different positions and there are so many games nowadays that you need to have every position covered if someone gets injured."
Keeping focused
Juventus are still in the hunt for the Scudetto and the Champions League and Zambrotta is adamant that his team can win the double. "Our objectives are to win both the league and the Champions League," he said. "We have done well so far and now, as the season enters a crucial phase, it is important that we don't lose our focus but that we carry on working hard. If we don't do that we might end the season without winning anything."
Change of pattern
FC Barcelona will be Juve's quarter-final opponents in the Champions League. Zambrotta is only too aware that Spanish sides have outperformed their Italian counterparts over the past few years - but believes that this season will see a change of the pattern.
I think that Italian teams want to make up for what has happened in the past few years, when we haven't been that successful
Italian comeback
"I think that Italian teams want to make up for what has happened in the past few years, when we haven't been that successful," he said. "We are all fighting for the image of Italian football, and with three Italian sides in the quarter-finals, we have started to rebuild the picture of Italian club football."
Mighty Madrid
So which team did he believe is Juve's strongest competitors for the Champions League? "Well it could be Real Madrid [CF] now that they have qualified for the last eight," he replied. "But in the end I hope that an Italian team will win the competition and I obviously hope that it will be Juventus."
Crucial role
Wherever he plays - in midfield or in defence, on the left or on the right - if Juve are to win their first Champions League since 1996, the in-form Zambrotta is sure to play a crucial role.
uefa.com magazine
![](https://ae04.alicdn.com/kf/Ha393258d999f48a8973e6cb22a4518bcT.jpg)