From the papers

September 7, 2000
Juventus Official Site

Juventus' head-to-head with Monza in their last friendly prior to the Champions League start against Hamburg next Wednesday takes centre stage in today's sports press.

"A good Kovacevic display but Juve are not yet there," leads the Gazzetta dello Sport, as it highlights the goal and crossbar struck by the big Yugoslav forward in the 1-1 draw against Monza yesterday.

Ex-Juve and current Italy coach, Giovanni Trapattoni, was in the stands to take a look at some of the Bianconeri that should be playing a leading role in his plans for the World Cup qualifiers. He was not happy to find Alessio Tacchinardi starting from the bench (he came on at the start of the second 45), according to the Milan pink.

The daily also reports that Juve's first opponents in the Coppa Italia will be Serie A side Brescia.

The Corriere dello Sport, on the other hand, looks to the returning Edgar Davids for its bright point of the evening. The Dutchman, Gianluca Pessotto and Antonio Conte are all said to be ready ahead of the upcoming Coppa Italia clash with Brescia.

The Rome daily is concerned about the defence, however: it argues that the absence of Paolo Montero, Mark Iuliano and Marco Zanchi weighed heavily on the visitors.

Meanwhile, Giovanni Trapattoni has more words of support for under-pressure Alessandro Del Piero. "Looking back over the game [Hungary-Italy] with a cool head, I still would have gone with Alex. I have faith in him," he reflects.

Tuttosport also places the responsibility for the less-than-satisfactory draw against Serie B side Monza firmly on the shoulders of a shaky defence. The Turin paper reports that the performance has given the club a shake-up too, so that some transfer moves that had been coasting along will be stepped up. Not only is Parma and Italy full-back Fabio Cannavaro in Juve's sights, but so is Fiorentina defender - also a recent call-up to the Azzurri squad by Trap - Daniele Adani.

Fabian O'Neill showed some sparkling touches, but Igor Tudor hardly even battled, claims Tuttosport, and David Trezeguet failed to trouble the Monza back-line. But Darko was on great form, as he himself confirms, "I'm fit and hope to play in Hamburg."

But the daily raises the stakes over Del Piero's current predicament, warning that, if Inzaghi recovers, Alex risks being kept out of the Champions League clash.
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