Juve Rattled By Vieri Threat, Says Nedved
Tuesday 5th March 2002
Midfielder Pavel Nedved has revealed that Juventus will take special precautions to counter the threat posed by Italy striker Christian Vieri ahead of next Saturday's top-of-the-table clash.
"He's an unbelievable striker and can turn a match on his own," he said. "We'll have to pay him special attention. When his team are in trouble they can just pass to him."
Nedved, though, sought to take the pressure off. "It will not be the crucial game," he said. "Roma, Inter and Juve are all strong teams and will fight until the death for the scudetto. I don't think any one of them will give up before the season is through."
The former Lazio star is already looking forward to the clash. "It will be a tactical game and they'll be full of confidence after their derby win."
Juventus lost 2-0 to Deportivo La Coruna last week but beat Bologna 2-1 at the weekend.
"We're not in the least bit tired," he assured. "We'll go into the game in the best possible condition. We might have lost to Deportivo on Wednesday but we did well against Bologna on Sunday. They gave us a hard time but they're a good side, as their position in the table (fourth) confirms.
Nedved added that he is now clear about his role after being given the freedom to roam in the playmaker berth by coach Marcelo Lippi. He started the season on the right side of midfield.
"The coach gave me a new position and I try to do my job as best as I can," he said. "I have to move to put good balls through to the forwards."
