Draw satisfies Del Piero Tuesday 7 November, 2006
Alex Del Piero was more than satisfied with a point in Juventus’ 1-1 draw at Napoli. “We played well,” said the Bianconero.
Del Piero, Juve’s Man of the Match, scored an amazing free-kick on 67 minutes for a youthful Old Lady, but Mariano Bogliacino equalised shortly after as Gigi Buffon conceded his first goal in eight games.
“We played a good tie against a team built for promotion to Serie A, even if we only earned one point,” said Del Piero to Sky Italia after the match in a sold-out Stadio San Paolo.
“We are very lucky to have so many good young players and this is a sign of the good work carried out by the youth team staff over the last few years.
“Those who played performed very well and that’s not to mention the others on the bench,” added Pinturicchio.
“This is a championship with many good players and that is why it’s so tight at the top of the table.
“Napoli, Genoa and Bologna are definitely the main contenders for promotion to Serie A, thanks to their glorious past as well as the quality of their players, but Rimini, Cesena and at times Piacenza are also doing well.”
Boss Didier Deschamps was also pleased by his side’s display, although they did feel the pressure in the closing stages of the clash.
“We had the game under control in the first half and we did exactly what we had decided to do, without taking any risks,” explained the Coach.
“We continued that way also after the break, but after we took the lead they began playing longer passes and we suffered more, also because we were tired,” added the Frenchman.
“As for the injury situation, Nicola Legrottaglie might have dislocated his shoulder so it seems unlikely he will recover before Saturday.
“We’re hoping to have one between Robert Kovac or Jean-Alain Boumsong available again.”
Deschamps, whose side will host Pescara at the Stadio Olimpico in Turin on Saturday, was also eager to praise Juventus’ youth.
“I already said before the start of the season that Paolo De Ceglie and Claudio Marchisio were the most interesting youngsters on the team,” he added.
“It’s right to accord them playing time, otherwise when else will they get their chance?
“These young players have qualities which can emerge by playing next to more experienced ones. They have a great future and as a Coach it’s fantastic to be able to count on them.”
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Buffon ‘wins’ Golden Ball – reports Tuesday 7 November, 2006
Juventus and Italy goalkeeper Gigi Buffon will be handed the 2006 Golden Ball, claims the Tuttosport newspaper on Tuesday.
The Turin-based daily suggests that the shot-stopper has pipped Real Madrid stopper Fabio Cannavaro and Arsenal's Thierry Henry for the European Footballer of the Year title.
Although the France Football magazine, who organise the award, won’t reveal the name of the winner until November 27 in Paris, Buffon is thought to have succeeded previous winner and Barca star Ronaldinho.
Buffon is one of 50 players on the France Football shortlist which also includes World Cup winning teammates Cannavaro, Gennaro Gattuso, Fabio Grosso, Andrea Pirlo, Luca Toni and Gianluca Zambrotta.
The numerous European journalists who assign the title handed in their votes last night which will allegedly see Buffon given the most prestigious individual honour in the game.
Buffon, who remained with Juventus despite their demotion to Serie B during the summer, would become the second goalkeeper to win the prestigious award after Soviet legend Lev Yashin in 1963.
He would also become Italy's fifth European Footballer of the Year after Omar Sivori [an oriundo] in 1961, Gianni Rivera in 1969, Paolo Rossi in 1982 and Roberto Baggio in 1993.
The former Parma man, linked with Chelsea last month, has recently been sponsored for the win by Rivera and ex-Juve playmaker Michel Platini, who won the title from 1983 to 1985.
I don't understand why DD didn't play Bojinov or Palladino. Zalayeta was terrible.
Maybe Bojinov is finally gonna get some decent playing time.
Time is moving way too fast
:Bow:
******* great goals. Good work as usual.