22 August 2009

Ferrara: «We are Juventus and must live up to this name»

The clock is ticking away and in just a bit more then 24 hours Juventus will begin their adventure in this year’s Serie A championship. Ciro Ferrara, addressed the first press conference of the official season this afternoon, touching on an array of different points.

Asked how he feels on the eve of his debut as coach from the start of the season and how this is different from last year he answered: «It is my third match in the Serie A as coach. It is obviously a different situation. Last year’s was a less difficult situation because there were two matches to be played. Now there is a whole championship, the expectations are different, in fact they are high, and it is rightly so because we are Juventus and must live up to that name».

Juventus are amongst the two favourites, considered the real rivals of Inter: «We are happy that we are amongst the favourites because this brings along the right enthusiasm around the team but on the other hand we know we have to be careful. We are aware that we have enormous potential and we must work together to bring it out. Sometimes it is better to start off as an underdog but we are Juventus and these expectations are reasonable. I don’t know if they are exaggerated but I know that in such situations the coach must be clever enough to manage the situation on the outside and transmit to the players that it is good that people are expecting a lot out of us but we must show that we deserve it on the field. We must strike a balance between the expectations and the way we perform. We must keep our feet on the ground. Only the pitch can show we have made a leap in quality».

What has Ferrara brought to the team? A winning mentality?: «I try to transmit my past experience, my history which I was lucky to spend in two clubs which often competed for the top spot. I am trying to transmit the Juve mentality but the winning mentality is transmitted by the answers during training and on the field. I told the players at Juventus one should never be happy with less then a victory. This is how to acquire a winning mentality. Those who are on the field find it easier to concentrate on the team spirit whereas it is more difficult for those who are not in the starting line-up. That is why team spirit is important. We worked on intensity, on self-esteem and having to return to victory. Even with important absences I think that the pre-season showed good results except in one case, the defeat against Villareal».

Tomorrow’s match against Chievo, sees Ferrara’s team up against a side which on paper is much weaker: «To be a great team you must not only beat the big teams but most of the time you win a championship by beating those teams which on paper are weaker. Tomorrow’s match will see us play against a team which does not leave me tranquil. Last year Chievo Verona gave us a hard time. We must be careful of some excellent players they have especially a certain clever striker (Pellissier) who last year made it really hard for us. We approach the match at a great time and in good condition but we must be careful and concentrated. We cannot afford to lose points on the first match day and what more at home. They are very good at reacting and have very good players».

Asked about the current relations with Poulsen and the surprise transfer of Zanetti, Ferrara answered: « I spoke with Poulsen at the beginning of the season and I showed him that with 7 midfielders it would be difficult for him to find space in the year of the world cup. He however, always trained seriously and with great professionalism. When the situation changed and there was an opening I saw a player who was happy and who was taking thing seriously and I thought it would be right to keep him. We will all help him have a better season then last year. As for Zanetti the situation changed within two days. There was no sort of warning that Cristiano had such an intention. He was at the disposal of Juventus and I was counting on him but then something happened and he opted to be transferred. Cristiano is an excellent player but I have no intention of keeping players who do not want to stay. Competition was high but I think that there would have been space for everybody. I explained this to him and he was happy with the answer. The next day Fiorentina came with an offer and he said he wanted to leave. I will not keep any players against their will».

Who does Ferrara expect most out of?: « I do not expect anything in particular from one single player but I expect to have a team which works together. To me all players are important. They can make us win. It would be ideal to have all players on the same level but in a team there are always 5 or 6 players who due to skills, age or experience have more expected from them. Diego is a great champion but he is in his first year and even though his talent is undeniable and he has fit in well I would not like to put more pressure on him».

There was also room for a comment about Lippi’s prediction and the over-reaction by Mourinho: «According to me Lippi’s prediction was simply a prediction . On my part I thanked him for putting a bit more pressure on me. I was surprised by the reaction since Lippi last year said that Inter would have won the scudetto and nobody began to suspect anything. I am surprised by the reaction. This type of reaction makes me more convinced that we have improved. The most regular and consistent team will win the title. It will be a difficult race with a number of teams competing for the final triumph and amongst these there will be Juventus».

Does the fact that it is the season leading to the world cup worry Ferrara?: «To think of the world cup the players must have a good season and for this they have to train and do well with their clubs and therefore I am sure it will not create any difficulties».

Del Piero is in the list of players called-up while Zebina remains in the injured players list: «Del Piero is called up but like with the other called-up players I will evaluate the situation before going on the field. I am worried about Zebina’s injury but we have a squad which can make up for the loss».

In common with Leonardo: «What I have in common with Leonardo is a very similar career. We have great reciprocal respect and we even joked about the whole thing».

The last question is about how Ferrara thinks the supporters will receive Cannavaro for the first time at the Stadio Olimpico since his return to Juventus: «With regards to Cannavaro I hope that things are solved and that tomorrow the supporters will treat him well. I am convinced that with his great skills he will convince everybody».

 

 

 

Bari	Juventus	1 - 0
Bologna	Inter	0 - 0
Chievo	Catania	2 - 1
Fiorentina	Napoli	1 - 1
Milan	Lecce	4 - 0
Palermo	Cagliari	0 - 0
Parma	Brescia	2 - 0
Roma	Cesena	0 - 0
Sampdoria	Lazio	2 - 0
Udinese	Genoa	0 - 1