Conte praises Juve caution on passports
Friday 9th February 2001
Juventus captain Antonio Conte has spoken out about the passport scandal
rocking Italian football, praising his club's directors for keeping Juve
away from any of the controversy. "It's strange, but Juventus is not
implicated," he said.
"That means our executives are intelligent," he went on, "and think a lot
before they decide what to do."
Title rivals Lazio and Roma both have players whose EU passports are under
investigation, but Conte refused to be drawn on whether that would effect
the title race. "We have to think about winning this year," he said, "but we
remain confident."
There has been much talk of late that Alessandro del Piero could be set to
leave the club, but Conte believes he will stay. "I can't imagine Del Piero
far from Juventus. He is a treasure of the club, and was getting better when
he got another new injury a month ago.
"He has to get back to full fitness now, but he is one of the few players in
the world who can turn a game with one touch."
Juve have looked a different side of late, vastly improved since their
Champions' League exit before Christmas, and that is something Conte
attributes to coach Carlo Ancelotti. "He is a great coach," he said.
"Juventus understand his value. We are with him, because he knows how to
talk to each of us."
Conte is still not fully fit, but with Edgar Davids struggling, he may be
called upon to face Napoli on Sunday. The veteran defender Ciro Ferrara is
also expected to start, coming in for the suspended Mark
Iuliano.
