From the papers

December 7, 1999
Juventus Official Site

Late this afternoon (live on Rai 2 at 6pm Italian time) Juventus face Olympiakos in Palermo in the return leg of the third round of the UEFA Cup. "Del Piero with an eye on Inter" is the headline in the Gazzetta dello Sport and is followed by "the striker is looking to be sharper for Sunday night's big match. Kovacevic after more European goals". With regards Del Piero: "the striker hopes to reach Bettega's European milestone of 27 goals. Del Piero is at present two behind his "boss" on 25 goals. The gap is getting smaller all the time. Kovacevic also has a goal record in his sights. His target is double figures in European competition with the Serb currently on nine goals."

Tuttosport open with a story on transfer goings on at Juventus: "Juve after Raul. Real Madrid are heavily in debt. The Bianconeri may offer Zidane in part exchange. The Spaniards also ready to offload Anelka and Seedorf." The attention then turns to tonight s UEFA Cup clash: "Juve don't think about Inter" is the advice given by the Turin based newspaper. Ancelotti's view on matters: "We won't mess up. I'm happy with Del Piero, but he needs a goal. Kovacevic will once again be a protagonist." "Palermo is right behind Juventus with over 20.000 tickets already sold, but tickets will be on sale right up to this evening. A whole city in a celebratory mood despite the unusual kick off time and the Christmas shopping." As far as the mayor of Palermo, Leoluca Orlando, is concerned Juve "will also be here against Napoli in the Coppa Italia."

"Juve with Kovacevic and Del Piero: Palermo is fired up" is the opening headline in the Corriere dello Sport. "Ancelotti expects his players to give their all" and confirms: "These Greeks are tough. We can’t play as we did against Levski, as we’d be risking too much." The atmosphere in Palermo is like the good old days: "The city embraces Juve. A group of fans have invaded the team hotel and fans have arrived from all over Sicily and even from Malta."
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