Nedved Grateful To Lippi For 'Last Chance' At Juve
Saturday 12th January 2002
Czech Republic star Pavel Nedved has admitted his relief at finally finding his feet at Juventus after coach Marcello Lippi moved him into central midfield.
"I have to thank Lippi for playing me in this new position," he explained. "I knew this was my last chance. My only other option would have been to start playing in goal."
Nedved has been moved from his more accustomed position on the left to a creative role behind the front two. And he confessed that the switch has given him a new lease of life.
"It's a position I've never tried before either for my club or my country," he continued. "But I think it's perfect for me. I get a lot more of the ball and seem to get into more scoring positions, too.
"Before this change of position I was getting so frustrated with life. I just couldn't explain why I was playing so poorly. But I'm happy again now. I really think I am back to my best.
"The team really seems to be maturing and hopefully we will be able to catch up with Roma. But I have to say that I never once considered leaving Juve."
Nedved, who moved to the Stadio Delle Alpi for �26 million in the summer, now finds himself playing in a similar role to former Juventus star Zinedine Zidane, but maintains that he is a very different player to the Real Madrid star.
"I don't want to listen to these comparisons," he insisted. "He is a very special player and it is flattering, but we are totally different."
Juventus go into Sunday's match at struggling Venezia five points behind the leaders Roma and Nedved is confident that they will take all three points so long as the condition of the pitch is adequate.
"I hope it won't be too icy," he explained. "Otherwise it will make it very difficult for us to play good football."
