Lippi Calls For Solidarity In Final Push
Tuesday 26th February 2002
Juventus boss Marcello Lippi has urged his players to pull together for the final third of the season as he prepares for Wednesday's Champions' League clash with Deportivo La Coruna.
"We are going to have to play 20 matches in the next 80 days and I want each and every player to feel part of the challenge that lies ahead," insisted Lippi.
"It could end in great joy or it could end in great disappointment. Only time will tell, but until now I have been pleased with the way my team has done.
"We started off with three targets: winning the Scudetto, the Champions' League and the Coppa Italia, and we are still going strong in all three.
"It will be a difficult and stressful period, but we have to be ready for it. Our Champions' League group is really well balanced with all four teams on the same number of points. But we could still go through by drawing all of our remaining matches.
"That doesn't mean to say that I am going to go out looking for draws," he smiled.
Lippi will recall the fit-again Paolo Montero to partner Igor Tudor in the centre of defence, with Italy international Mark Juliano dropping to the bench.
Meanwhile, Deportivo midfielder Victor believes that the emphasis will be on his side to win in the Riazor. But he has warned that Juventus could be even more dangerous than when Deportivo earned a 0-0 draw in Turin last week.
"Juve will not have the pressure from their fans, because they looked very nervous when we played over there," he explained.
"But we have to win this match because it is vital for the club that we reach the quarter-finals of the Champions' League.
"They have such quality in there squad that they will be expected to win here by their fans and the media in Italy."
After recovering from a back injury, Victor is in line to start against the Italian giants and he is looking forward to the challenge. "I've had problems with this injury for a few months and now it has completely cleared up I can't wait to play without pain," he said.
Deportivo have never beaten Juve in European competition, but coach Javier Irureta will be buoyed after his side reaffirmed their Spanish title tilt with a 1-0 victory over Real Zaragoza.
The Basque trainer will be without Emerson, who has gastroenteritis, and Jose Manuel Colmenero, while Mauro Silva faces a late fitness test to see if he will be able to play.
But along with the return of Victor, Irureta also saw Yugoslav defender Goran Djorovic come through training on Monday.
Deportivo La Coruna (probable): Molina, Naybet, Cesar, Hector, Victor, Mauro Silva, Amavisca, Valeron, Romero, Scaloni, Tristan
Juventus (probable): Buffon, Thuram, Montero, Ferrara, Pessotto, Conte, Tacchinardi, Davids, Nedved, Del Piero, Trezeguet
