Trezeguet Could Bump Inzaghi Out of Juve Lineup
ROME (August 18, 2000 3:49 p.m. EDT http://www.sportserver.com) - David Trezeguet broke Italian hearts with his golden goal winner for France against Italy in the Euro 2000 Final last month - and now a member of the defeated 'Squadra Azzurra' could have more reason to curse the name of the new Juventus striker.
Despite his Rotterdam hammer blow, the 22-year-old has been given a welcome fit for a king at his new club - but, judging by Trezeguet's remarks in Corriere dello Sport, that could be bad news for Filippo Inzaghi, who was not selected for the final in Rotterdam.
Juve coach Carlo Ancelotti must now decide whether Alessandro Del Piero or Inzaghi should partner with Trezeguet but the French striker appeared to give the coach a subtle hint on Friday.
"We have played together very little, only a little trial," Trezeguet told Corriere dello Sport newspaper when asked about Inzaghi. "In reality we are very similar therefore it is obvious that there will be more difficulty in flourishing together.
"I am not saying it is impossible for us to be paired together, I always
abide by the decision of the coach, but it is undeniable that with Del Piero the tandem is more harmonious," said Trezeguet, who spent much of his childhood in Argentina.
One possibility is that Ancelotti could keep everyone happy by playing
Trezeguet in the center and Del Piero and Inzaghi on the flanks in a
three-pronged attack with Zinedine Zidane conducting operations behind.
But Trezeguet delivered an apparent snub to Inzaghi when he said it would be a great formation, although he apparently did not see Inzaghi as a member of it: "With Zidane, Del Piero and (Fabian) O'Neill there would be plenty of danger for the opposition," he said.
Ancelotti is giving nothing away, however, and told Gazzetto dello Sport: "He (Trezeguet) is in competition with all the others, all showing their own qualities."
Trezeguet, signed from Monaco during Euro 2000, is delighted at the
prospect of linking up with Zidane again and believes the Marseille-born
playmaker has now eclipsed the achievements of Michel Platini, who also wore the number 10 shirt for France and Juventus with distinction.
"To me he (Zidane) is greater still than Platini. Platini was a great
champion but he did not win what Zidane has won - a World Cup which marks your career. It's never nice to make comparisons but I do not think that anyone will ever equal Zidane's popularity," said Trezeguet.
