Collina Won't Be a Problem, Says Inzaghi
Friday 19th January 2001
Juventus striker Filippo Inzaghi has said that the choice of Pierluigi
Collina to referee Sunday's clash between Perugia and Juventus will not
affect his side - despite the controversy surrounding the same fixture last
season when Collina stopped the title decider for 80 minutes because of
rain.
Juventus needed victory against Perugia on the final day of last season to
win the scudetto but their hopes floundered in the torrential rain.
Collina delayed the restart for 80 minutes because of a waterlogged pitch,
and despite the terrible conditions, when the teams did finally come out
Alessandro Calori fired in the only goal of the game to deny Juve the title.
"Nothing will change. Whether Collina is the referee or someone else, it
will be a normal match," Inzaghi said. "I accept what happened and I respect
Collina for that decision to play on, even if it did mean the end of our
championship hopes.
"He will referee this match with the same focus as we will play. We have to
think only about this match and the championship."
Inzaghi could start on the bench in place of Alessandro del Piero, but he is
willing to accept coach Ancelotti's decision.
"No problem," he said. "If Ancelotti decides to do that, it will be the
right decision for Juventus. One time I was more nervous about such a
possibility, now I'm calm."
