Lippi Blames Himself For Celtic Struggle
Saturday 22nd September 2001
Juventus coach Marcello Lippi has admitted that it was a mistake to go into last Tuesday's Champions' League match against Celtic with just three defenders.
Juventus had to rely on a controversial last-minute penalty to secure a 3-2 win over the Scottish champions in the Stadio Delle Alpi, but Lippi believes he made life harder for his players by choosing the wrong tactics.
"I made a mistake. I admit that," he said. "My team are not ready to play in a 3-4-3 formation. We have to play within our limits for the time being.
"I've never said that we are the best, but I hope we will be strong enough to play like that all the time one day," added Lippi, who admitted that he will revert to a regular 4-4-2 formation for this weekend's trip to Lecce.
"I want us to play like we did against Chievo when we created ten clear chances to scores," he continued. "But we couldn't do that against Celtic. Why not? Several reasons.
"Number one, Celtic were in excellent physical condition and we weren't. Also some of my players had an off day. But above all, it was because I got the tactics wrong."
Lippi is expecting a tough match against unbeaten Lecce in the Via Del Mare on Saturday. "At least we will have Pavel Nedved and Edgar Davids playing together in midfield for the first time," he explained.
"Still, Lecce will be hard to break down. They are tough and their coach Alberto Cavasin always has his teams very well organised."
