Lippi Hails 'Perfect' Juventus
Thursday 29th November 2001
Juventus coach Marcello Lippi was delighted after his side shrugged off recent poor form to crush Bayer Leverkusen in their re-arranged Champions' League game on Wednesday. "We found a perfect balance in our football," he explained.
David Trezeguet struck twice, while Alessandro Del Piero and Igor Tudor weighed in with one each, as the Bianconeri romped to a 4-0 victory over the Bundesliga leaders.
"When a team like Juve find their balance, the talent of our players can shine and they are strong enough to make a big difference on the pitch," Lippi added.
"We managed to do that playing against a team who have won seven games in a row in their league. It's a great result that we fully deserved, as everybody could see."
Lippi returned to his tried and trusted 4-4-2 formation for the fixture after some tactical experimentation and admitted that could have been the key.
"Our 4-4-2 system allows us to play more confidently and to cover the spaces on the pitch better. But I am convinced that the team can play in a different formation," he said.
Lippi's side face Perugia in Serie A on Saturday and the coach admitted that the postponement of the Leverkusen fixture from Wednesday night - because of fog - could prove troublesome.
"I would have been happier if we could have played this match 12 hours earlier," he said. "I hope my players will not be too tired."
Juve have performed well in the Champions' League before, only to falter in the league, but Lippi is certain that this revival is for real. "Nobody could say that Bayer are not as strong as the top Italian sides," he continued.
"I am sure we have found our balance and will confirm that with a great performance against Perugia. It won't be long before we see if I am right."
