Salas Targets Euro Final Return
Wednesday 13th February 2002
Juventus striker Marcelo Salas has set himself a Champions' League deadline to return to the side, despite initial fears that his knee injury would rule him out for the season.
"I hope to be ready for the final of the Champions' League," he said. "I would like to be in Glasgow."
The Chile international is still recovering from the ligament damage he sustained against Bologna in October, but is confident that he will now play again this season.
"I have passed some very difficult times and thank God it is now over," he said. "Now it is my wish is to be present in Glasgow if Juventus reach the final of the Champions' League."
But the 27-year-old's dream is still is a long way from becoming reality only two games into the second group phase, Juve have thrashed Bayer Leverkusen and lost to Arsenal.
The form Marcello Lippi's side have been showing in Serie A of late, where they are undefeated in seven games and second only to Roma after Sunday's draw with the champions, nonetheless suggests Juve could take command of Group D when they face Deportivo La Coruna next week.
Salas picked up his injury on October 21 and was operated on in Rome on November 5 by Lazio club doctor Andrea Campi.
He has a made a near total recovery from the surgery and next week is expected to start light training again. By the end of March he should be in a position to rejoin his team-mates.
The news will come as a welcome boost to Juve coach Lippi, who has been relying on Alessandro del Piero and David Trezeguet since October.
Both have been performing well for the Bianconeri, but an injury to either would leave Lippi short of options with just Marcelo Zalayeta and Nicolas Amoruso in reserve.
Salas had scored once in seven Serie A appearances for Juventus since his summer move from Lazio.
