Bring On Roma, Says Lippi
Sunday 3rd February 2002
Juventus coach Marcello Lippi believes next week's clash with Roma could not have come at a better time after seeing his side cut the gap on the leaders with their sixth straight win, 3-0 over Lecce on Sunday.
"It's a great time to play them as we are in such good form," he said.
Goals from Antonio Conte, David Trezeguet and an Alessandro Del Piero penalty at the Stadio Delle Alpi ensured that Juve took full advantage of Internazionale's 0-0 draw with Torino, and Roma's 2-2 tie away to Fiorentina.
Lippi's side are now level on points with Inter and just a point behind the leaders and will go top with victory at the Stadio Olimpico next week.
"It will be a very important match, but it is not crucial yet, because we will still have so many matches to play after that," Lippi said.
"Anyway, we can't underestimate Roma's strength. Talking of consistency, they haven't lost in their last 18 matches. We have to respect them."
Lippi then explained why he believes his side have been able to put together such an impressive winning run after such a frustratingly inconsistent start to the season.
"My team is playing well because we have got all our first choice players back and all the others especially those who don't play so often are back to their best form.
"I have repeated so many times during the course of the season how important it is for us to have all our players available."
In many eyes Inter have a slight edge on Roma and Juve in the race for the title because they are not involved in the Champions' League, but Lippi, whose side are also still in the Coppa Italia, insists that fighting on numerous fronts motivates his squad still further.
"I don't think that having so many challenges ahead of us should be considered a handicap," he said.
"We have so many players in our squad, we can rotate them as we need to. Professional players at great clubs must never to give up.
"On the contrary, I think that having so many options still open, could give us a really positive psychological edge."
With Nedved moved into a more central position behind Del Piero and Trezeguet, Juve notably lacked width on against Lecce, but Lippi insisted that was not cause for concern.
"Of course it depends a lot on the line up I play," he said. "With Gianluca Zambrotta on the pitch we have more opportunity to go forward on the right wing than with Antonio Conte playing.
"Anyway we tried to remedy that by pushing the defenders forward and asking Pavel Nedved, in his new position, to move wherever he can find the space he needs."
Juventus: Buffon, Thuram, Montero, Ferrara, Pessotto (Zenoni 60), Conte (Zambrotta 59), Tacchinardi, Davids; Nedved (Maresca 68), Del Piero, Trezeguet
Lecce: Chimenti; Cirillo (Balleri 58), Juarez, Stovini (Malusci 83), Silvestri, Giacomazzi, Conticchio, Piangerelli, Tonetto; Vugrinec (Bojinov 80), Chevanton
