Tommasi Laughs Off Zidane Bluster
Thursday 3rd May 2001
Roma midfielder Damiano Tommasi has scoffed at Zinedine Zidane's claim that Juventus will win the Scudetto. "Of course they can," he said. "But Zidane did not say when it might happen. They could do it in the next ten years."
Tommasi, who has been a driving force in Roma's march to the top of Serie A, put Zidane's comments down to mind-games.
"I understand that Juve have to think positively," he said. "The championship is not over yet and they must keep their hopes up until the last moment. There are so many points to take yet."
Roma and Juventus meet on Sunday in a crucial Serie A match. The capital side are six points clear of their closest rivals and a win would virtually guarantee them the title. But Tommasi is taking nothing for granted.
"I am not thinking too much about the Juve-Roma match," he said. "I prefer to concentrate on our ability to play good football every week. That spurs me on more.
"Besides, history has taught us that you can lose crucial points against small teams."
In recent seasons, Roma have been the victims of poor refereeing decisions at the Stadio delle Alpi and Tommasi admitted that the official would be under pressure again on Sunday.
"I hope the referee will have a good day," he said. "A mistake can always happen, of course, but I don't think Juve will be unduly favoured by the referee. The players' correct behaviour is crucial to making his job simpler," he added.
Tommasi insisted that last weekend's disappointment in the derby, when Roma conceded two late goals to be deprived a priceless win, would not weigh on their minds.
"Lazio scored two stunning goals from unusual positions. We deserved to win, but I think that on Sunday the other results were good for Roma (Lecce held Juventus 1-1).
"In any case, I do not think a victory in Turin will mean the League is over. Lazio are still in the running and they have many easy matches before the end.
"On the downside, if we lose to Juventus it could be dangerous for our psychological state."
