Tuttosport 17/06/99 : Interview with Darko Kovacevic
MR. KOVACEVIC, HOW IS YOUR FIRST DAY AS A JUVENTINO?
"A great day. Juve was a dream and I've realized it. Now it's up to me.
I've always made goals and I hope to keep going. How many? I don't know, I
don't think that it's serious to predict."
PEOPLE SAY THAT YOU ARE SIMILAR TO VIERI...
"I don't like comparisons. I have my qualities and I keep them tight. Juve
bought me for what I am, not for what I could be. It's Darko Kovacevic and
that's it."
ARE YOU REALLY THE MISSING PIECE IN ANCELOTTI'S TEAM?
"It looks that way, since they bought me."
THE ITALIAN LEAGUE IS DIFFICULT...
"Yes, I know, especially on the tactical level. Mihajlovic and Mirkovic
told me everything. The Liga is also difficult, but Italy has something
more. For me, it's a prestigious opportunity and a personal test: I'm ready
and I told Juve managers."
WHY DID YOU RUN AWAY FROM ENGLAND?
"From Newcastle, yes. I didn't like that kind of soccer and I wasn't
thrilled by the English life. I preferred Spain and a team with less
ambitions: I think that I made the right choice."
WHO WAS YOUR ROLE MODEL?
"Like all kids of my generations, I loved Marco Van Basten, but he wasn't
an idol."
LET'S GO BACK TO THE GOALS...
"I promised maximum effort. I'm a powerful forward and I use my physical
abilities. I define myself as a workhorse."
KOVACEVIC, ARE YOU AN INTERNATIONAL?
"Yes, unfortunately I missed the World Cup for an injury, but recently I
was called up again. I hope to qualify for Euro2000."
ARE YOU MARRIED?
"Yes, and I have two kids. Stella is three and half years old. Darko Jr. is
18 months old."
WHAT WILL YOU DO NOW? ARE YOU GOING BACK TO SAN SEBASTI�N?
"Yes. Then I will go on a short vacation and July 1st I'm back in Turin. I
can't wait to start."
Interview by Vittorio Oreggia (Tuttosport 17/06/99)
