| Alessandro Birindelli has been working in
silence for a long time. Billed by coach Carlo Ancelotti as the most physically in-form
player of the squad during pre-season training, Birindelli has worked hard to maintain his
fitness at that peak. Now the results are starting to show. Recently deployed in a
midfield rather than defensive role, Birindelli is pleased with the change. "This is
the first time in my career that I have consistently played in midfield. When I was with
Empoli, I was used there every so often. I am delighted with this new role. I have to
cover for the defence a lot. But I also get to push up field, and that gives me the
opportunity to use my speed, which is probably my greatest strength on the pitch. Having
said that, I am more than ready to play wherever the coach wants me to." Indeed,
Birindelli is undergoing something of a renaissance at present. He didn’t feature a
great deal last season, partly due to injury problems, and is delighted to be back in the
running for a first-team place. "Competition is natural, - he said, - in a team of
Juventus’ calibre. I’ll accept whatever the boss thinks is best, but at the
moment I feel as if all the hard work is finally paying off." Competition for
midfield places is high at Juventus, but Birindelli is not put off. "Ancelotti is a
top-quality coach. He makes good decisions, and explains them well. It’s perfectly
normal that whoever gets left out doesn’t feel particularly happy about it, but we
have a good team spirit here and team selection does not cause any friction. I think that
is probably the key to our success: when players competing for places are intelligent, as
they are in our squad, everything that happens has a positive aspect. There is more
stimulus, and a better foundation for success." This is the frame of mind with which
Juventus are preparing to face Olympiakos, a tough side with a great set of fans. "We
couldn’t forget the atmosphere at the Olympic stadium, - acknowledged Birindelli. -
We know the calibre of our opponents: they are an aggressive side, and technically strong
too. We will have to be determined and concentrated on Thursday night. A good result would
enable us to go into the second leg with less pressure." But will the fact that
Juventus’ opponents are now trained by an Italian coach, whom Ciro Ferrara worked
with at Napoli, help the Bianconeri? "Maybe," replied Birindelli. "But it
will not affect the way we go into this match. All the sides who have been in European
competition several times know each other by now anyway." |
