From the papers
July 12, 1999
Juventus Official Site
The front pages of today's
dailies, besides covering Fiat's centenary celebrations in Turin yesterday,
are of course devoted to the dramatic accident involving the German Ferrari
driver Michael Schumacher, a drama that eclipsed the football transfer
market and the endless negotiations for Arsenal's Frenchman, Nicolas Anelka.
The Ferrari driver, who veered
off the track at more than 170mph, underwent surgery last night for a double
fracture of his right leg. His season is in serious doubt.
Tuttosport opens on the front
page with an eloquent "Schumi Drama". There's encouragement for him from
Gianni Agnelli, doing the honours yesterday in the Piedmont capital for
Fiat's centenary: "Michael isn't finished."
Meanwhile, this evening Carlo
Ancelotti's new-look Juventus go on show. "Juve, in goal". After last Thursday's
first outing, the Bianconeri play their second friendly of the season ("Inzaghi
and Kovacevic play in Saint Vincent"), in preparation for next Saturday's
Intertoto Cup match against the Romanian side Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt. After
Saturday's rumours that had Zidane at the centre of a possible swap with
Real Madrid's Clarence Seedorf, Zizou, back from holiday, promised: "You'll
see the real Zidane again."
The Frenchman denies wanting
to leave Juventus- "I've been quoted as saying things I didn't"- and throws
down the gauntlet to Juve's Serie A opponents. "I'm back in order to win",
he says. "I have to erase [the memories of] last year. For now, no team
is stronger than us." He also thanks coach Ancelotti: "He has changed tactics
for me."
Inzaghi could play for one
half of the match against the Valle d'Aosta XI too, but the Turin daily
says "he'll miss the match in Romania". And Del Piero? Inside we read:
"He remains a question mark. Yesterday he trained normally and played two
practice games". Ancelotti hopes to have him back in action as soon as
possible: "The tests show he's in excellent condition, but he lacks match
fitness after nine months out".
New signing Darko Kovacevic
offers the final words- ones which should raise optimism among the Juve
faithful. "Kovacevic, Courage Juve." The Yugoslav striker, signed from
Real Sociedad, displays confidence. "Where others wouldn't even put a foot,
I put my head. I won't disappoint those who wanted me in Italy." His adventure
in Turin has only just begun but he has already announced his aim to be
in Ancelotti's starting lineup: "I'm looking for a place. I've sworn to
earn the opportunity to play with Del Piero and Inzaghi. We work a lot
here and I feel it in my muscles. If Ancelotti wants me, I'll be in the
Intertoto Cup."
On the transfer front the
Anelka case has taken yet another twist. Tuttosport runs the headline:
"Anelka: Lazio-Juve sprint", speculating that: "Cragnotti is the favourite.
And if the Frenchman joins the Bianconeri, Inzaghi could go to Roma ".
The Turin daily comments
on an excellent acquisition by Torino: "Morfeo to Torino: yes". There are
certain conditions attached- "Fiorentina happy with the loan, as long as
Morfeo plays"- and reveals Torino's other transfer targets. "Otero in attack?
Torino could swoop for the the Uruguayan if Ferrante goes to Cagliari."
Finally special encouragement
for the 2006 Winter Olympics from the President of the Republic, Carlo
Azelio Ciampi, in the Piedmont capital yesterday for the Fiat celebrations:
"Turin 2006 will amaze the world."
Gazzetta dello Sport opens
with the Schumacher smash- "Double fracture of the leg: 6 to 8 weeks out"-
on the day in which a historic birthday was being celebrated in Turin:
"The world salutes the Fiat centenary."
Zinedine Zidane is prominent
in the Milan daily too: "Zidane at Juve: Year Zero." After the disappointments
of last season, Zizou is beginning his fourth season in Turin: "It's good
for us to return with our feet on the ground and start afresh out of the
spotlight." He denies the rumours of a possible departure from Juve- "Spain?
I'm always reading rubbish"- and continues: "I've had two wonderful years
in the black-and-white strip, I'd like to relive those moments. I'm here
again to win, as if it were the first time".
The paper does not discount
an appearance by Pintruricchio this evening against the Valle d'Aosta XI:
"Ancelotti aims for the championship and warms up Del Piero".
The Gazzetta also reveals
the
latest in the Anelka affair: "Cragnotti's last move." The Lazio president
has given Arsenal an ultimatum: "We won't go beyond tomorrow for Anelka.
With him we'll be the team to beat."
With the Milan transfer market
closed, the other negotiations are continuing: "Inter-Roma: new meeting
today for Candela." Meanwhile the protagonists of the forthcoming season
set off for their respective summer training camps in the mountains. Yesterday,
in addition to Piacenza, Capello's new-look Roma got together: "Sensi can
already see the Capello mark." The Giallorossi president has no doubts:
"This Roma is stronger and will challenge at the top. It's got character
and greater determination." In Milan, Demetrio Albertini has complied with
the Rossoneri coach's wishes- "Albertini says Zac's right"- and he explains:
"We've got a long season in front of us. Rotation is the key".
Other football stories: "Copa
America: Ronaldo and Zamorano both make it through". Last night Brazil
beat Argentina 2-1, thanks to Ronaldo's magic, while Chile beat Columbia
3-2, with a decisive goal by the other Inter man.
24 hours earlier the Women's
World Cup ended in the USA. The Gazzetta's headline runs "The ladies of
football are American." The US team beat China 5-4 on penalties in the
final, in front of 92,000 fans including Bill Clinton.
In the Tour de France, after
Cipollini's historic feat, yesterday was Lance Armstrong's day. The American
won back the yellow jersey with a brilliant ride. A rest day today and
tomorrow the Tour crosses the border to Sestriere.
Corriere dello Sport pays
homage to Ferrari's unlucky driver- "Schumacher kisses world title goodbye"-
and runs the centre-page headline: "Here's the new-look Juve on TV".
At the bottom of the page,
we read "Otero on his way to Cagliari". And inside a lot of column inches
on Juventus: "We discover the new Juventus."
The transfer news is: "Cragnotti,
70bn lire (£24m) for Anelka". Lazio, who met up in Porto Cervo, are
anxiously awaiting the arrival of the French striker. Reggina, who are
looking for an attacker, are planning a shock swoop: "Reggina in for Fonseca."
The Calabrian club could ask Juve for the Uruguayan: "They like the Juventus
player a great deal but his fee could be out of their range." We also read:
"Inter: Candela or Vanoli?." The Nerazzurri are the centre of the speculation:
"In the Italian blitz on Anelka, Arsenal have asked Inter for Pirlo." Also:
"Seville bid for Galante."
David Coulthard won yesterday's
British Grand Prix at Silverstone ahead of Ferrari driver Eddie Irvine
who, having caught up with Schumacher in the championship table, is now
second (8 points) behind Mika Hakkinen, who was forced to retire yesterday.
Ferrari are now looking for a substitute driver for the next few Grand
Prix. "Badoer, Salo or Alesi: who's warming up their engines?" Agnelli
reassures the Ferrari fans: "The world championship isn't lost yet."
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