Injuries Disrupt Juve Plan
Monday 24th September 2001
Rosenborg go into their 100th European game against an injury-depleted Juventus who had to leave six players in Turin knowing that they need a point to have any hope of progressing to the second phase.
Of 31 teams that have lost their first two games in the Champions' League, only Dinamo Kyiv in 1999 have gone through to the next round. Rosenborg lost at home to Porto last week.
However, the Norwegians have been dealt a severe blow with the news that both central defender Erik Hoftun and midfielder Orjan Berg are struggling with injuries.
Hoftun has been struggling with an ankle injury for some time now but the pain increased during Tuesday's training and he is now a major doubt.
"We have agreed to wait and see, but the chances are very slim," he said.
"But if I have to have an operation I might be out for the rest of the season," he added.
"We have to say that we are weakened if Orjan Berg and Erik Hoftun don't make it. But we have a better squad than before," said Rosenborg coach Nils Arne Eggen.
Bent Inge Johnsen is likely to replace Hoftun while Roar Strand might be moved to right-back.
Juventus, meanwhile, flew to Norway without six first-team players. Marcello Lippi had to leave Pavel Nedved and Edgar Davids, who are banned, and the injured Igor Tudor, Nicola Amoruso, Antonio Conte and Athirson in Turin.
Lippi said: "I don't like to say that we are in an emergency situation because Juve have a strong and large squad. We will send on the players we have available, taking the chance to see on the pitch that who didn't play a lot until today.
"Enzo Maresca or Fabian O'Neill will start the match but not both of them. Mark Juliano will play and I think we will have a strong line-up.
"I don't think we will start with three forwards but it is possible I will change that during the match with one of them positioned behind the forwards in a playmaker position.
Rosenborg (probable): Arason, Strand, Basma, Johnsen, Saarinen, Johnsen, Skammelsrud, Berg, Enerly, Rushfeldt, Brattbakk.
Juventus (probable): Buffon, Zenoni, Thuram, Montero, Juliano, Zambrotta, Maresca, Tacchinardi, Pessotto, Del Piero, Trezeguet
