Play Me or I Leave, Blasts Unsettled Inzaghi
Wednesday 13th December 2000
AC Milan, Real Madrid and Barcelona are set to move for Filippo Inzaghi, who
has given Juventus coach Carlo Ancelotti a play-me-or-sell-me ultimatum. The
three European giants all had bids knocked back last summer.
The three European giants all had bids knocked back last summer, but Inzaghi
is known to be upset after Ancelotti left him out of the side that beat
Parma - despite already missing Alessandro Del Piero through injury.
Ancelotti explained that the form of David Trezeguet - a big-money summer
purchase from Monaco - has allowed Juventus to play in the French style with
just one striker.
When Del Piero limped off after just 41 minutes of Juventus' 1-0 victory
over Parma at the weekend, substitute Inzaghi could have been forgiven for
thinking that his chance had come - but he looked stunned when Gianluca
Zambrotta came on as an extra midfielder.
The news that Del Piero will be out for a month will come as little
consolation for Inzaghi - particularly as Ancelotti declared his intention
to experiment with the lone striker.
"If we play with one striker, we will have more defensive options on the
wings. Even Zidane knows how to play this system well - and he would get
more freedom to be creative," he said.
It is an open secret in the Italian media that Inzaghi and Del Piero do not
get on. There were some doubts about Del Piero's future in Turin after
Internazionale tabled an offer for him, but if he stays at the Stadio Dell'
Alpi, Inzaghi's departure would seem even more imminent.
Trezeguet has waited patiently on the sidelines before usurping Inzaghi as
the main striker for last season's runners-up. The forward, who cost �14
million, grew up in Argentina but was spotted by Monaco at 17.
He exploded onto the scene in 1997-98 with 18 league goals in his first
season and made his debut for France against Spain in February 1998. The
subsequent season was a disappointment - he scored just 12 goals and was
dropped by France.
He got back to his best in 1999-2000 and proved that still had a lot to
offer at international level by scoring the winner in a 3-2 victory against
Iceland in France's final Euro 2000 qualifier, ensuring his country's place
in the finals.
Trezeguet will forever be remembered for his golden goal in the Final of
Euro 2000 that gave France victory. He has scored five goals in his last
eight games and showed the kind of form that makes him look like a bargain.
"In Italy they judge you above all on your efficiency. Players like Bierhoff
or Batistuta aren't great technicians but their statistics are impressive. I
am not selfish. I love scoring. I always say that someone who doesn't score
isn't a forward," he said on Tuesday.
And he had harsh words for France Under-21 coach Raymond Domenech, who has
been tipped to succeed Roger Lemerre as national coach: "I read that he said
I was selfish and only interested in money and glory. He's so wrong.
"Domenech likes money more than me. Since he's been in charge of the
Under-21s, he's never won a thing. I'd like him to say it to my face and not
in the papers. I don't like hypocrites."
Former France and Juventus legend Michel Platini paid tribute to the forward
who has seen off the Inzaghi challenge, saying: "He has the potential to
become the new Paulo Rossi."
