Carlo confesses
Football Italia - February 2000
One year at Juve. Let's make a countdown...
In 1999 I had the satisfaction of arriving at this excellently organised club. At the start I had to face the usual problems. I lost the Cup Final then failed to qualify for the Champions' League or the UEFA Cup. I needed to work a lot in regaining the confidence in our forces.
What were the difficulties?
Not big ones. First, I wanted to make unhappy players happy. Regarding the team, I was very clear on one thing - only the man who showed his value would play!
There were some difficult moments at the start of the season - a draw against Reggina, a defeat against Lecce.
It's true, but I was convinced that it was about physical problems and nothing else. And this team is stimulated when it faces high-class opponents. When we met a lesser-class team, or a lesser known one, we lacked concentration. It happened with Lecce, Piacenza, Verona and Venezia.
You had a fast start this season with the Intertoto Cup. Has this summer competition been worthwhile?
It served because we were slightly humbled. Maybe it was better we didn't reach the Champions' League.
What is the greatest quality of your Juve?
The power, the confidence in our own forces. If you want, these are the qualities that I've transmitted to the team. But we have to acquire great personalities for leading the team in the difficult moments. There still are some moments when we have a lack of organisation.
Do you feel pressure around you?
Sure, I can almost feel it with my hands. The pressure is powerful because Juve always has to win. I have an advantage though that everyone has a great will after a year full of disasters.
What do you learn after the last stage setbacks?
That I have at my disposition a great group of players. The structure exists, we should just strengthen it. We could win the title, I don't like this kind of talk. We still have to raise our game to be the best.
Alex Del Piero is not scoring too regularly yet?
I've always said that Del Piero suits me the way he is.
Inzazghi is taking the scoring burden instead....
Pippo has found an impressive continuity. But he hasn't reached the maximum, yet.
Zidane?
He's back, in a certain way, the same old player. At Parma he had his best game. After a very bad one-year period, he reacted like a real champion.
With you, Tacchinardi has become a leader, it's one of the teams best achievements.
He's gained personality and continuity. He knows how to make himself an important player, but he still could improve, to help out better in the important moments.
What do you say about the way Marcello Lippi was received on his return to Turin?
He got a very hostile reception, but I think that fans saw him as an opponent. He was on Inter's bench, struggling for a victory against Juve. The fans are not sensitive in these kind of moments.
Who's the most powerful opponent in the fight for Lo
Scudetto?
Lazio. They have a fantastic leader in Sven Goran Eriksson. He's doing a very good job.
In the spring, Lazio will have to play in Champions' League, instead of you.
This is a big advantage. The UEFA Cup is less important. There are fewer games and the opponents aren't very powerful. Usually, the waste of energy, physical and emotional, is little in comparison with the Champions' League.
