Lippi Puts Faith In Zalayeta
Thursday 8th November 2001
Uruguay striker Marcelo Zalayeta has been recalled to the Juve squad as coach Marcello Lippi desperately looks to end his side's dire recent run in Serie A. "We have missed an edge in front goal and by not winning our confidence has dropped," Lippi said.
Zalayeta has been in limbo after spending two years on loan at Spanish side Seville. He has not found a club this season, despite continuing to be picked for the Uruaguay squad.
Bought from Penarol in 1997, the Uruguay international has made just six Serie A appearances for Juve, but injury to Marcelo Salas has freed up a non-EU spot at the Stadio delle Alpi and handed the 23-year-old striker an unexpected chance to impress.
Juve are expected to fill the gap made by Salas' injury with Udinese's veteran striker Roberto Muzzi when the transfer window reopens at the end of the year, but Lippi will stick instead with Zalayeta should he prove reliable back-up for David Trezeguet, Alessandro del Piero and Nicola Amoruso between now and the winter break.
Zalayeta has looked sharp since his return to Turin, scoring three times in his first training match under the gaze of vice-president Roberto Bettega and could be named in the side to face Sampdoria in the Coppa Italia on Sunday.
"Zalayeta is a Juventus player, so it is better that he is here and not with another team for another year," Lippi said.
Following the sacking of Fatih Terim at AC Milan, the attention has turned to Turin where Lippi's side have now gone Six Serie A matches without victory.
Against Verona on Sunday, only a last minute-strike from David Trezeguet earned a point for the Bianconeri who lie six points behind leaders Chievo in sixth.
"We lack of continuity," Lippi said as he tried to explain his side's spluttering form on Thursday. "Against Verona we played well for 15 minutes and then as badly as we possibly could for the next 45 minutes.
"We have missed in particular an edge in front goal and by not winning our confidence has dropped. But I remain confident because I am yet to see a team capable of dominating this season. Every team has their own problems.
"We have so many talented players, we have to win something this year," he added.
One of Lippi's greatest problems lies in his failure to get the best from Czech midfielder Pavel Nedved who was again off form against Verona.
The coach, however, stood by his �25 million signing from Lazio and refuted suggestions made by general director Luciano Moggi that he was out of shape.
"He just needs a goal to get his confidence back, but he is training well," Lippi said. "He is an example, a model. We just have to wait for him to come good, as we waited for Michel Platini and Zinedine Zidane.
"Pavel is a great player and he has played some good matches for us, in particular in the derby against Torino and in the Champions' League."
