Zaccheroni: «I have great respect for Fulham»

It is time for the Europa League. On Thursday night, Juve will be playing the first leg of the final 16 of the Europa League and the bianconeri will be hosting Fulham. In Vinovo, the eve of the match was characterized by the press conference. The match was presented by Alberto Zaccheroni and David Trezeguet.

The coach from Romagna underlined the difficulties the team could encounter against the English team: «We will be facing a strong , compact team that knows what it wants and how to get there. It is the classical English team, robust and which has great team spirit. I know Hodgson well. He is a well balanced coach who does not try to overdo things and against whom you must keep a close look. It will be an important match but we must remember that it is 180 minutes long».

Attention must be paid to Fulham but also to Juventus. Alberto Zaccheroni looks at his own team first and foremost, at the team’s condition which is becoming more complete everyday but which still has a number of defections. «In the last few days I managed to have back a number of players, even though on a part-time basis. The important thing is not to end up with the same 11 players for 3 consecutive matches. I hope I will soon have at least three fourths of the squad available soon, so that we can be competitive on all fronts. Sissoko should be fit, Marchisio was in bed yesterday and we will have to see how he is feeling today. Melo is suspended. Poulsen? He is not yet 90 minutes ready but he is experienced , has a great personality and knows how to manage. If I field him he will know how to use his energy , just like Camoranesi. Caceres is the player who is most in doubt. I do not want to force anyone. I will wait till tomorrow to take such decisions».

After having eliminated Ajax, Zaccheroni’s team will try to repeat itself against Fulham and also continue with the positive moment after the victory in Florence for which the team also received compliments from John Elkann. The coach wants to make further steps ahead and to explain this concept, spoke of David Trezeguet who was seated next to him during the press conference: «We appreciated John Elkann’s comments and they are a further stimulus to go on. We must still find the right equilibrium to help the strikers. I asked David to help the team out a lot, even because somebody like him is not waiting for me to teach him how to score. We must put him in the right condition to do what he knows best».
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