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RANIERI: IMPRESSED BY DANNI'S PLAY
Ahead of the first match of the Champions League between Juventus and
Zenit that is to take place today the head coach of Juventus Claudio Ranieri
gave an interview to Sport Express.
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Photo: english.sport-express.ru
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"After the draw of the group stage was held I said
that I know your team pretty well," said Ranieri. "Then I watched
Zenit in the match against Manchester United for the UEFA Super Cup in
Monaco. In that game the Portuguese Danni appeared for the first time
in the squad of Zenit. And I should say that his play impressed me very
much. I liked his remarkable technique, clever steps. And the fact that
he joined the ranks so fast is of course good for the player."
"You should not doubt that we all take Zenit very seriously. We are
not talking undervaluation of the Russian club, moreover all my players
are eager to play and prove the supporters that Juventus well-deserved
returns to big European football."
"Their coach, Dick Advocaat, has succeeded in creating an interesting
and quick team that sometimes resembles the team that shone on Euro 2008
with Guus Hiddink managing."
"And the fact the Zenit is represented by several players in your
national team also supports the notion that this club is very strong."
"I always praise Timoschuk, and I think that the midfielder Zyryanov
plays a very important role in the team. He is a very useful player and
has an unpleasant feature for the opponents: he does his midfield work
very well and what is more he started to score."
"In the absence of Fatih Tekke and Roman Shirokov, who have not arrived
in Turin because of injuries as far as I know, the Argentinean Dominguez
can help Arshavin and Danni in attack. He is no bargain for defence at
all."
"I see both advantages and disadvantages of Zenit but I'd prefer
to reveal them only to the coaching staff and the players," laughs
Ranieri.
"I think that we are ready for the tournament, and let football lovers
in Russia judge our team after the match. But we will do everything possible
not to disappoint ourselves and our supporters with the quality of play
and the score."
Sport
Express Daily, 17 Sep 2008
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