Conte Wants World Cup Place
Tuesday 1st January 2002
Juventus midfielder Antonio Conte has targeted a place in Italy's World Cup squad after making a successful return to the Turin side's first-team following a long-term knee injury.
"I hope to convince Giovanni Trapattoni," Conte declared. "Only two years ago I was in the squad that played in the European Championships."
The 32-year-old Juve captain made his comeback in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals last month, and the midfielder's importance to the Turin club was underlined by general manager Luciano Moggi, who likened his return to signing a new player.
And Conte was insistent that along with veteran defender Ciro Ferrara, who is also back in the reckoning at the Stadio Delle Alpi experience will be a vital factor in this season's title race.
Conte said: "I am not presumptuous but I think Juventus still need a player like me.
"I am happy that someone said that me and Ferrara are still useful for this team. We can help new players to understand what is expected at the club and we are important when Marcello Lippi calls on us."
Conte has won every honour in the game in his 11-year stint in Turin and hopes to extend his contract, which is up in the summer, while becoming part of Trapattoni's plans.
"I would love to end my career in Juventus," the midfielder continued. "I hope to convince the management and Italy's coach. Giovanni Trapattoni has always said he will pick the in-form players for the World Cup."
Since his injury, Conte has seen team-mates Gianluca Zambrotta, Gianluca Pessotto and Alessio Tacchinardi all play in Italy's midfield though Roma's Damiano Tommasi, now a regular, has been the biggest beneficiary of Conte's absence.
