Juventus' great Pepsi challenge

December 13, 1999
Juventus Official Site

Monday should have been a day of rest for the Bianconeri after their memorable victory at home to Inter. However, many of the players have been engaged in a number of other activities. At the Delle Alpi, Edgar Davids, Filippo Inzaghi and Paolo Montero found themselves in front of the film cameras for the latest Pepsi advertisement alongside three stars from Manchester United, David Beckham, Dwight Yorke and Ole Gunnar Soskjaer. Davids was in particularly good humour. "It’s strange hanging around for an advertisement for hours that then only lasts a minute or two. The result was satisfying though. Would I like to be an actor? I asked the director to bear me in mind for his next film," he joked. It is probably best for Juve that Edgar sticks to football, but who would he like to appear next to if he ever got the chance? "Robert De Niro, Denzel Washington or Wesley Snipes." And actresses? "Well, Angela Basset for one."

It was a demanding day too for Del Piero, Zinedine Zidane and Edwin Van der Sar, as they flew out to Brussels for the presentation of Adidas's new ball for the next European Cup.

Meanwhile Ancelotti praised his squad for Sunday’s great victory against Inter, for the manner in which they're getting through their tough run of matches and for their top placing (even if shared with Lazio). "I'm very proud of the defence. It is well organised, attentive and protected by an excellent midfield. Del Piero is playing for the team as a whole, as he proved with the goals he made for Inzaghi against Bologna and Inter. His contribution is crucial. Also SuperPippo's strike rate is extraordinary. It makes the whole team more comfortable to know that up front there's such a dependable goal scorer."

Tuesday afternoon training will start again in view of the return leg of the Coppa Italia against Napoli (3-1 in the first leg) which will kick-off at 8,45pm local time at the Delle Alpi. After which the Bianconeri will face Trappatoni's Fiorentina in Florence without their first choice keeper Van der Sar who was sent off against Inter for two yellow cards. "Michelangelo Rampulla has shown against Lazio and in the Cup that he's up to the job," said Ancelotti. He concludes by denying that the Scudetto is now down simply to the current top two, Lazio and Juve. "It's far too early, although we're pleased Roma lost to Bologna as we did to Lecce."
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