5 January 2008

Ranieri: «We still have to grow in 2008»

Juventus’ year begins with some good resolutions. The team did more than well in the first part of the season, and now the idea is to improve even more. After three intense days of training in Vinovo and on the eve of the trip to Malta, Claudio Ranieri spoke about the situation during his first press conference since coming back from the holidays.

The Manager sounded motivated and he said he expects a “2007 model” Juve but with even more horsepower in their motor. And talking of motors, the metaphor he chose to speak about Juventus' season was unusual, but spot-on. “Up until now we've done well in the first straight part of the course, now we have to confirm ourselves negotiating the long winter bend before flying in the last straight bit. We're aware of what we've done and what still needs to be done, and we're convinced we can still improve a lot”.

Improving: this is the aim for the New Year; small details that could allow the team to make another quantum leap forward. And Ranieri knows what he wants: “I've always said we've had to do without important players like Camoranesi and Marchionni for long periods of time. In any case we have to improve if we hope to achieve something more. We have to keep fighting, especially against ourselves, and then whatever we achieve will be the most that it was possible to achieve. To be specific, I’m not happy about our two defeats; we have to improve in terms of personality, in terms of everybody taking part in the game-play more, and in defence. When I'll see Buffon not having to do anything for 90 minutes, then I'll be able to say that we're doing well”.

These ideas are to be put into practice immediately, starting from the team's winter camp in Malta. A new adventure that the Manager is curious about: “First of all I'm expecting to find better weather, but I'm pretty sure about that. I'm also sure we'll get a warm welcome from Maltese fans. As a team, the aim is to make the players tight again before the League restarts, basically we have to revamp the 'vehicle' taking it back to its best condition”.