Nedved Vows Best Behaviour On Return To Lazio
Friday 23rd November 2001
Juventus midfielder Pavel Nedved has revealed he will not celebrate if he scores against former club Lazio on Saturday night.
"That is my promise to the fans. I will be really happy inside, but I will not hurt the people who loved me," said the Czech star, whose form has declined since his �26 million summer transfer.
Lazio president Sergio Cragnotti has stayed in touch with Nedved amid rumours that the player is unhappy in Turin and would welcome a return to the club he represented for five seasons.
But Nedved insists he will work his career out with Juventus. "I have never regret my choice," he said. "As soon as possible, I will show that I was right to come here.
"I have not asked Cragnotti to buy me back. I refuse to leave Juventus before winning something important.
"I am facing the same problems I had in my first season with Lazio. I struggled until Christmas, then I started playing better when the club changed manager. Dino Zoff came in for Zdenek Zeman."
Nedved nonetheless admits that he feels low. "This is the worst period of my career," he said. "I am not playing like I know I can for Juventus and the Czech national team were eliminated in World Cup qualifying. But I will respond.
"I have had to change my style at Juventus and I am still getting used to some of my team-mates' moves on the field. With Lazio, I had more space.
"But we have just won three important points against Parma. We are struggling in the title race but we are still in the running for the Champions' League. It is forbidden to talk of a disappointing period for Juventus," he added.
Lazio have every motivation to put one over on their former midfielder, though, as a win at the Stadio Olimpico would move them level on 17 points with Juve.
Coach Alberto Zaccheroni is slowly turning the Rome side's season around and victory over Udinese last time out propelled Lazio into eighth place in Serie A.
Hernan Crespo is expected to shake off the foot injury he picked up in training this week, but Fabio Liverani is doubtful with a muscle strain. Stefano Fiore stands by to replace him.
Juve boss Marcello Lippi welcomes defender Lilian Thuram back from injury and is expected to switch Nedved from the left to the right wing, with Alessandro Del Piero playing a more withdrawn role.
He hopes the change will help the Czech find more space to break into the opposition box.
Lazio (probable): Peruzzi, Negro, Nesta, Couto, Favalli, Poborsky, Fiore, Giannichedda, Stankovic, Crepso, Inzaghi
Juventus (probable): Buffon, Thuram, Tudor, Iuliano, Zenoni, Tacchinardi, Davids, Zambrotta, Nedved, Del Piero, Trezeguet
