Ancelotti Confident of Winning 'Two-Horse Race'
Monday 8th January 2001
Juventus manager Carlo Ancelotti is still optimistic of reeling in Serie A
leaders Roma despite falling further behind their title rivals after their
weekend draw against Fiorentina.
The Turin giants are now eight points adrift of Fabio Capello's Roma who won
away to Atalanta, but despite drawing to Fiorentina on Saturday night, the
Juve boss remains confident of catching the Giallorossi.
"We are hoping against hope, even if we are eight points behind," he said.
"Certainly only Juventus can stop Roma running away with the scudetto."
"I mean, it will be a two-horse race. For me, being eight points behind or
six points behind doesn't change anything. Roma haven't won the scudetto
yet."
Ancelotti, of all people, knows what he is talking about when it comes to
blowing a healthy title lead. Last season, Lazio chased Juventus all the way
until the last day of the season, when the Bianconeri fell at the final
hurdle.
"Last year we were nine points ahead of Lazio and we had played more games,"
he recalled. "It's true that we missed another chance against Fiorentina. To
be 3-2 up after being 2-0 down is a great chance."
"But the team is in good shape and now we have more depth to our squad -
thanks to the arrival of players like Athirson."
But Ancelotti was nevetheless pleased with the gutsy comeback against the
league's in-form side, Fiorentina. And he singled out one his strikers for
particular praise.
"We played with heart," he said. "Filippo Inzaghi was great. Obviously he is
now our first-choice in attack. To have four great strikers makes it a
difficult choice every day - difficult for me in that I have to choose and
difficult for the players who don't know if they will play. But they just
have to accept it and tolerate my choices."
Juventus now have worries over their midfield as Andrea Tacchinardi will be
suspended for their next game against Bologna, and Fabien O'Neill is still
trying to shake off injury."
"I'm holding out for O'Neill," he said. "The Uruguayan has had a lot of
physical problems. He is recovering now, but I am not going to change this
new way of playing, with Zambrotta playing in midfield. But we have to
produce more in attack."
Ancelotti added that he was happy at the club but that his future at the
Delle Alpi was out of his control, although he had received positive
feedback from management, suggesting that an extension to his current
contract is looming.
"The Agnelli family sent their congratulations for the work I've done so
far," he said. "I'm pleased about that."
"To choose whether or not to stay doesn't depend on me. I don't want to
move. There a lot of good vibes here and I'm in no hurry."
