Ancelotti Admits Juve Shortfalls
Saturday 11th November 2000
Embattled Juventus coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted that his side still need
to improve after Saturday's disappointing draw against Lazio at the Stadio
Delle Alpi.
The under-fire boss was hoping to see his side bounce back from their
embarrassing Champions' League exit in midweek. But after being held at home
by last season's champions he said: "This was a tense match but a balanced
match in spite of our delicate psychological state.
"We still need to improve and the bitterness of Champions' League
elimination is hard to swallow."
Asked about Edwin Van der Sar's performance - the Dutchman let Marcelo Salas
's weak shot slip under his body - Ancelotti said: "This is a difficult
moment for all of us. Apart from the goal he played well and this is a
situation we all have to get through."
Lazio centre-back Alessandro Nesta was frustrated that his side failed to
come away from Turin with all three points.
"It was a wasted opportunity for us because of the bad phase Juventus are
going through - but also because of the chances we squandered. We were
caught napping by Juve's goal. Tudor should not have been left unmarked in
the penalty area."
Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson claimed it was tricky for his side when the Juve
fans started to boo several of their own players, particularly Van de Sar.
He said: "We had more chances but I think 1-1 was a fair result. It is
always difficult to play against a team under attack from their own fans
because in these moments players tend to bond together and their pride
emerges. But we played well under the circumstances."
