Post by Taxigirl on Feb 9, 2004 12:05:59 GMT
Marcello Lippi insists that Juventus have no intention of giving up the Scudetto chase despite lagging eight points behind the leaders.
“This is a message to those Juventus fans who I understand will be downhearted this evening: Nobody here is giving up.”
Many have ruled the Bianconeri – who have lifted the last two Italian titles – out of the running after tonight’s 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Roma.
“If anyone out there thinks Juve will let go of this Scudetto then they can take that idea right out of their heads,” added Lippi. “This is not over.”
The worst Bianconeri defence for forty years reared its ugly head once more by conceding four goals.
“Quite simply Juventus were in the game until we went 2-0 down,” he insisted. “When I was preparing the substitution of our two players who were already booked Paolo Montero was sent off and that was the end of that.”
“Today we conceded a goal on a set-piece so I don’t think Olivier Dacourt’s strike can be blamed on the defence. The penalty and the red card moments later turned the game.”
Despite dominating much of the first half, Roma went into the half-time break only 1-0 up and added to their tally in the closing stages.
“Most of Roma’s chances up until that point were chaotic moves or individual moments of magic such as when Francesco Totti rattled the crossbar, but it was a balanced encounter.”
There was controversy and surprise before the game when Alessandro Del Piero was sent to the stands, but Lippi assures there is no story to discuss.
“Del Piero suffered a muscular problem during yesterday’s training session and we tried to get him back to full fitness in time for the match. New tests showed it was a minor strain and we could not risk it. There is no mystery.”
www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/feb8i.html