Zeman Adds Bitter Twist to Juventus-Roma Rivalry
Copyright � 1998 Nando.net
Copyright � 1998 Reuters
ROME (Nov 13, 1998 - 10:39 EST) - Allegations by Roma coach Zdenek Zeman of doping practises at Juventus have given an acrimonious twist to the traditional rivalry between the two clubs which resumes in Italy's Serie A on Sunday.
The clash in Rome marks first time the clubs have met since Zeman's allegations last July which champions Juventus angrily rejected, and subsequently started a libel action against the Roma coach.
Zeman, for his part, has also initiated libel proceedings against past and present Juventus players, Gianluca Vialli and Alessandro Del Piero, who both issued outspoken criticisms of his original allegations.
Zeman this week tried to ease the pre-match tension, saying: "Let's just stick to football and not go on about personal feuds...Judges and magistrates can sort out the other business...
"Juventus are the best team there is, in Italy and in the world, and therefore it is a privilege to play against them and we'll be playing to show which is the better side."
Signs of a tense build-up are evident from the fact that Juventus coach Marcello Lippi has opted for a press blackout until after the match.
Moreover, experienced Juventus defender Ciro Ferrara was less than diplomatic when asked if he would shake hands with Zeman before the match.
"I'm not answering that," he said. "Zeman ? Let's talk about serious matters...This is a game that matters a lot for our league standings and both sides will be very motivated."
Roma go into the game in third place, three points behind second-placed Juventus and four behind leaders Fiorentina.
Injury-hit Juventus come into the game at a critical moment in their season.
Recent draws with Udinese in Serie A and with Venezia in the Italian Cup have followed a disappointing European Champions' League campaign which has seen Juventus draw all four group B games.
Juventus were dealt a severe blow to their prospects when key striker Del Piero was this week ruled of soccer for five months because of a knee injury sustained in last Sunday's draw with Udinese.
The league champions are also without reserve striker Nicola Amoruso and French midfielder Didier Deschamps, both injured.
Uruguyan Daniel Fonseca replaces del Piero alongside Filippo Inzaghi in attack while Ferrara's return to defence allows Angelo Di Livio to move forward to replace Deschamps.
Roma, with no injury problems, can field their strongest formation led by Brazilian Paulo Sergio, Marco Delvecchio and Francesco Totti in attack.
