Italian Press Sure of European Progress For Inter and Juventus
Copyright � 1998 Nando.net
Copyright � 1998 Reuters
ROME (Oct 22, 1998 - 12:32 EDT) - The Italian media was confident on Thursday that Inter Milan and Juventus were still on course for the quarterfinals of the Champions' League despite their failure to dominate their groups.
In Wednesday's games Inter won 2-1 at home to Russian side Spartak Moscow while Juventus drew 0-0 with Athletic Bilbao in Spain.
Inter are still third in Group C but now only on goal difference behind Spartak and leaders Real Madrid -- all three have six points.
Juventus are also third in group B on three points. Rosenborg Trondheim lead with five, ahead of Galatasaray mon four.
"The long term objective is still difficult but they both remain on course," commented Milan sports daily, Gazzetta Dello Sport .
"Juventus and Inter's European night leaves both our sides with a good chance of qualifying, even if we still have our worries, particularly in regard to Juventus.
"Even if both of them had a deal of difficulty, Juventus and Inter both got the result they wanted."
Rome daily, La Repubblica , said: "The 0-0 of San Mames and the 2-1 of the San Siro allows them to keep on hoping,"
Juventus and Inter now meet in an eagerly-anticipated serie A clash in Turin on Sunday night.
Ronaldo, scorer of Inter's second goal against Spartak despite looking far from fully fit, is looking forward to Sunday's game:
"I'm glad for myself and the team but now let's concentrate on Juventus because we're going to Turin to win," he said.
"I'm not saying we will win but that is our attitude."
Inter coach Gigi Simoni, still hurt by his team's 5-3 home defeat by Lazio last Sunday, was singled out for praise with commentators underlining how his six selection changes had galvanised the side:
"If the coach's job is to pick the best team, then you have to say that Gigi Simoni...absolutely got it right, with the choices of Paulo Sousa and (Benoit) Cauet in midfield and (Nicola) Ventola in attack," said Milan daily, Corriere Della Sera .
"With Ventola in this form, with Ronaldo on the way back and with a midfield playmaker in Sousa, the outlines of a real side are beginning to emerge," concluded La Repubblica .
With a view to the rest of the Champions' League, commentators are more apprehensive about Juventus, who have drawn all three games to date.
"Juventus now finds itself with two teams in front of it in the table, so either they win two matches in November, one of them away to Galatasaray, or they're out," said Corriere Della Sera.
Juventus coach Marcello Lippi, however, is less concerned, saying after the game: "I was right to say that this was not a do or die, last chance match...
"We go home that little bit more optimistic, knowing that if we win our final three games we can still win the group."
