La Stampa 28/06/99 : Interview with Filippo Inzaghi
INZAGHI, TOMORROW DEL PIERO WILL SIGN HIS CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH
UNBELIEVABLE NUMBERS. IS THIS RIGHT?
"Alex will be our best buy, even though he won't be able to help
immediately. He is a number one, so it is right to give him such a contract."
TWO SEASONS AGO, YOU WERE ABLE TO SCORE 60 GOALS TOGETHER. WILL YOU ABLE TO
REPEAT THE FEAT?
"It was an extraordinary even, but our partnership will still give a lot to
Juve. It's always difficult to repeat such things, but, together, we will
be able to achieve important goals. Juventus hasn't changed its starting
forwards and this could be an advantage compared to who bought new players
that still need time to know each other."
WHAT WILL BE KOVACEVIC'S ROLE?
"He will be very important in the beginning while Del Piero heals. Then, it
will be like having Vieri next to me. He's very similar to Bobo and he will
be a precious alternative in a department where there aren't enough good
players."
HOW ARE YOUR HOPES ON ZIDANE? ZIZOU SAID THAT, ALTHOUGH HE HAS RECEIVED
OFFERS FROM SPAIN, HE WILL REMAIN WITH JUVE, AND THAT HE REGRETS SPEAKING
TOO EARLY ABOUT HIS DESIRE TO MOVE.
"When he's inspired, there isn't anybody like him."
BUT HE IS STILL BOTHERED BY HIS RECENTLY OPERATED KNEE AND HE WON'T BE
AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY, JUST AS DEL PIERO.
"Zidane only needs to be healthy. Last season, his injuries affected his
playing, something that happened to most of us. Without the World Cup
hangover, he will be a different player and could play his best."
THE JUVE POPULATION IS ASKING ITSELF: WILL ANCELOTTI BECOME A COACH
DESERVING HIS PLACE WITH A BIG CLUB SUCH AS JUVE?
"I have got to know him these few months, for us players he is, first of
all, a friend. Now, he will begin again with a team that is his own, he
deserves faith, respect, and the help of all of us. I read that he knows
that he's risking a lot, but he has the capabilities of bringing Juve back
on the top levels."
DID THE TEAM MANAGEMENT HELP HIM IN THE ACQUISITION OF PLAYERS?
"I don't know if our transfer market is already closed. We surely made
improvements everywhere, take a look at the offensive department, where we
needed more strength. Buying youngsters is always a winning strategy."
BUT NOBODY IS PICKING YOU AS FAVORITES FOR THE LEAGUE TITLE.
"It happened already last season with Milan and Zaccheroni's team surprised
everybody. I don't know if we will be able to repeat such a feat, but we
have everything to be a winning team."
A LOT OF TALK, BUT THEN WE ALWAYS GO BACK TO INZAGHI'S GOALS. DO YOU FEEL
THE RESPONSABILITY OF SUCH A ROLE?
"The first year with Juve was extraordinary. The second is better to
forget, because I played seven months with pubalgy. I feel that we will
have our revenge, when I feel good I always score. I want to become a
symbol for the fans. This jersey is already a part of me."
WITH ZOFF YOU HAVE BECOME A STARTER EVEN ON THE NATIONAL TEAM.
"The best award, something to dedicate all to myself, because, if I reached
this goal is all thanks to me."
NOW ZOFF WILL HAVE TWO INZAGHIS FOR THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS. DO YOU
BELIEVE IN YOUR BROTHER SIMONE?
"Yes, a lot. Lazio has sold Vieri, but has bought a forward ready to
explode. I guarantee for Simone. It would be nice if the top scoring title
would be a family affair."
Interview by Fabio Vergnano (La Stampa 28/06/99)
