Trezeguet Vows To Prove His Worth
Sunday 29th July 2001
France striker David Trezeguet has vowed to repay the faith Juventus showed in him this summer when the Turin club refused to let him leave for Internazionale in return for Christian Vieri. "I thank Juventus for their trust in me," he said.
Inter president Massimo Moratti had demanded Trezeguet in part exchange when Juve attempted to entice Vieri back to the Stadio delle Alpi, but Juve sports director Luciano Moggi refused to discuss the possibility of the French striker leaving. "David is untouchable, he is our future," he said.
Trezeguet, who signed for Juve from Monaco for �14 million after scoring the golden goal winner for France in Euro 2000, scored 14 times in 25 Serie A matches last season, but spent much of the campaign on the bench and made no secret of his dissatisfaction with coach coach Carlo Ancelotti's team selection.
He admitted during the course of last season that his future at the club was uncertain, but the new campaign promises to afford Trezeguet more starting opportunities and the French striker is looking forward to the challenge.
"I thank Juventus for their trust in me," Trezeguet said. "I know that this has greatly increased the responsibility on my shoulders, but it has also given me more incentive.
"We've got the chance of winning something important soon and I have a much better opportunity to play for France by playing in a team as great as Juventus. I strongly want to repay the club's trust in me with my enthusiasm and - I hope - with my goals.
"I want to thank Massimo Moratti for his interest in me, but I'm proud to be at Juve and I'll go on working and working to reach the same level as Batistuta, Shevchenko and Crespo.
"I did the same last year, but I worried about not having enough chances to prove it on the pitch."
Trezeguet also confirmed his belief that the arrival of Pavel Nedved at Juve will compensate for the departure of France team-mate Zinedine Zidane
"Without Zidane, the team has changed," he said. "He is unique, but we must get on without him. With our new pattern of play, I will receive many more crosses and that's perfect for a forward like me."
Following the failure to land Vieri, Juve are still looking for another foward, with Lazio's Marcelo Salas and Mario Jardel of Galatasaray, both linked to the club, but Trezeguet no longer feels threatened by the competition.
"If the club buy one more forward, they'll do it for the sake of the team," he said. "I will play where [coach Marcelo] Lippi asks me to, with whatever tactics and whichever partner."
Trezeguet's confidence is founded on the partnership he has forged with Alessandro Del Pierro during pre-season training and the pair impressed particularly in 5-0 friendly rout of Val D'Aosta last week. Each scored a goal in that victory as Lippi made it clear who he believes his first-choice strike partnership will be when the season begins.
"I feel good playing alongside Alex Del Piero or with him playing slightly behind me," Trezeguet said. "Only time will tell how many goals we'll score together."
