From the papers

May 26, 2000
Juventus Official Site

The Gazzetta dello Sport leads with the Italian national team and Pippo Inzaghi who declares: "Trust us Juventini." The Bianconero striker goes on to say: "I believe it is right to rely on us. It's true that Lazio won the Scudetto but we fought until the very end. And Juventus are more of an Italian team than Lazio. Basically, I'd be happy to put money on us Bianconeri. I've won the Scudetto and I've won cups. The only thing missing is success with the Azzurri. Christian Vieri's absence is a blow, but from what I've heard Paolo Maldini should make it. We have a strong, competitive squad. Don't let recent results overshadow what we have achieved at club level in the Champions League and UEFA Cup. Italy are on a par with the rest. Of course, we'll have to work hard, starting with the group phase as Belgium will be playing at home and Turkey could be a surprise package. But I'm pretty sure everyone would rather avoid us." The Corriere dello Sport dedicates column inches to Juve's new signing Michele Paramatti. "I never stopped believing that I was a good player with the ability to play in Serie A, but unfortunately events conspired to deny me the opportunity", confessed the defender on the day of his Bologna debut in Serie A. "But now finally, I've made it." The Roman daily follows it up by saying: "At Juve he should enjoy even more success."

Tuttosport focuses its attention on Alessandro Del Piero, who gives us his thoughts on the signing of Paramatti. "I admit, it's a surprise", reveals the Bianconero number 10. Del Piero goes on to say: "But a nice one. It seemed certain that Sergio Cragnotti would buy him, instead we got in first." Del Piero's confidence appears to have no bounds. He seems to have an excellent relationship with the club officials and his ties to the Delle Alpi seem stronger than ever. "I agree that the club should be more integrated and not pulled apart. Last summer the Juventus squad was dismissed out of hand almost. But the team proved everyone wrong. We finished second in the League and showed real quality", he said.
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