Nedved Talks Tactics With Lippi
Friday 1st February 2002
Pavel Nedved has paid tribute to the tactical nous of Juventus coach Marcello Lippi ahead of the game against Lecce after revealing he was revelling in his new advanced central midfield position.
Nedved has operated in the new position over the past few games, and has brought a different dimension to title-chasing Juve's play. The Czech star has certainly thrived playing immediately behind Alex Del Piero and David Trezeguet:
Mr. Lippi called me and Alex in, put a blackboard in front of us and explained his project. We listened to him and we had good results straight from the following match," he said.
"Really, I can't believe I've got used to the new position so quickly. I think Marcello Lippi is a great coach. I have never talked so much with a coach about my game."
Nedved said Juve were not looking beyond the Lecce game, but admitted the clash against title rivals Roma in the Olympic Stadium was hard to put out of the mind.
"We'll keep our total concentration against Lecce, especially as teams who change their coach tend to play well.
"We need to win though. Torino and Fiorentina are good teams, but I don't think they can stop Inter and Roma."
Nedved has other worries too. If he picks up a yellow card, he will miss the Roma showdown. But, he says he won't change his style.
"It is best not to think about this," he said. "You know, sometimes you suffer many fouls and the referee then books you for your first foul.
"I'm often hit by checkers, but then I'm not really a saint on the pitch. I don't like to withdraw my leg because football is about contact, as long as players don't go overboard. Then it becomes like boxing."
