Davids returns after operation.
| DAVIDS: A GREAT RETURN 31/10/1999 |
| A deserved win which moved Juventus to just one
point behind league leaders Lazio. It's early days yet, however... "It's better to be
up there than to find yourselves a long way behind the front runners" is what
Ancelotti had to say about his side's current league position: "We're happy, but
we'll enjoy it in silence" seems to be the Bianconeri coach's view, perhaps in order
not to tempt fate ahead of the difficult games that Juve are set to play in the next few
weeks starting with next Sunday's derby against city rivals Torino. The good news is that
the team's good form is continuing and their last few performances have shown this. Del
Piero had the following to say: "It's great being in second place, even though
there's still a long way to go, we hope to be in an even better position at the end of the
season." Davids thinks that being just one point behind the league leaders gives Juve
a very important psychological advantage over their rivals: "I'm very happy, because
Lazio are now feeling the pressure." The only negative thing was the Bianconeri's first-half performance: "I didn't like it - commented Ancelotti - we were far too static." Del Piero echoed his coach's words: "We got the result that we deserved in the second-half, but in the first 45 minutes we did everything possible not to get that result. We were possibly not eager enough when it came down to it, but after the break we succeeded in putting into practice what we had discussed in the dressing-room at half-time." Alex preferred not to rate his side's performance: "The only thing that counts to me is my contribution to the team and I did well, as did my team-mates, especially in the second-half." Ancelotti was pleased with Del Piero's performance: "The celebrations after he converted the penalty showed how important he is to us all", and Davids' return to action that "surprised him." The Bianconeri coach went on to explain why he substituted Conte and Ferrara: "We needed more pace on the wings." Edgar Davids, back in action after being out for six weeks after suffering a glaucoma on his right eye, had a great game: he hit the post twice and demonstrated the usual sturdiness and determination that make his performances stand out: "I'm satisfied, it starts here... I could have celebrated my return with a goal. Juve were on fire, in the first-half it was difficult because they played with 10 players in defence, but in the end we managed to secure three important points." The Bianconeri faithful didn't forget the tragedy that has recently befallen the Piacenza coach, who lost his son in a road accident. They held up a banner dedicated to him, which moved Gigi Simoni: "I didn't expect it, sooner or later I'll have to repay many people, perhaps people aren't as nasty as they seem. Don't be so surprised that I was immediately back on the bench, it's certainly not because I want to forget what has happened, but so that I can get used to living with something that I'll never forget and so I decided to return straightaway." |