Ancelotti Wants Vieri Back
Thursday 1st March 2001
Juventus coach Carlo Ancelotti, who signed a one-year extension on his Juventus contract last week, wants to see Inter striker Christian Vieri return to the Stadio delle Alpi.
Vieri enjoyed one season with Juventus, playing a major part in the Turin club's title-winning campaign in 1997 before moving to Atletico Madrid, then Lazio and finally Inter.
He has been linked with a move away from Inter with reports in Italy suggesting he has been unhappy at the club since former coach Marcello Lippi was sacked one game into the season.
"Who doesn't want a great player like Vieri?" Ancelotti asked. "It would be great if he came back. I think he is at the same level as Batistuta, Crespo or Filipo Inzaghi, but I don't think Inter can sell Vieri. Teams that have great players don't let them leave. It's just a hope."
Ancelotti is hardly spoiled for choice at present with Zinedine Zidane, who he considers the best player in the world, in his side as well as Alessandro Del Piero and David Trezeguet.
"Zinedine Zidane was great for his national team too and I'm relieved because he doesn't have a problem with his knee. He is a fantastic player and can win you a game even if he isn't in good shape. Juventus need him just as we need Alex Del Piero at his best and at the moment we have them both.
"On Sunday [away to Udinese] we'll have Antonio Conte and Trezeguet back, but it doesn't mean we have a problem of choice. We play with players in the best form and I'm happy to be able to choose between this level of player."
