Monday, December 29, 2008
Cobolli Gigli: "A Positive 2008"
While awaiting the team to restart their last two days of the year of work on the field, 2008 for the bianconeri has already been archived. With the victory in Bergamo eight days ago, the year is already practically a part of history and statistics and all are waiting for a new one hopefully as exciting as the one ending.
Three days from the end of the year, Giovanni Cobolli Gigli reviewed 2008 and set his targets for 2009. The president conceded an exclusive interview to Sky Sport 24, which was broadcast this morning with repeats throughout the day (12:15 and 23:15).
A long chat during which Juventus number 1 expressed his satisfaction with regards to what the squad coached by Claudio Ranieri managed to achieve during the last 12 months. A definitely “positive” 2008 while waiting for 2009, with the hope of bringing the scudetto back to Turin. Many compliments for Del Piero for his consistency, for Legrottaglie, Chiellini and the young players. Here are some of the answers.
A review of 2008 both on personal level and also with regards to Juventus.
"For me it was a very positive year and therefore this also reflects that of Juventus. I need the help of the stars, Juventus needs that of facts. What the players managed to achieved was no present but earned on the field".
How do you explain the problems encountered at the beginning of the season and how did you overcome them?
"Out of 12 months of work a fall-back is natural. Last January we returned to the championship with last vigour and this year we went through a difficult September. We received a lot of heavy criticism which I’m not sure if it helped or not. But we at the club took note and the reaction was evident and great. The match against Real was the first signal, than we did things which seemed incredible to those who criticized us and surprising to us. Even though we knew that the binding thread of this team was very strong".
What struck you most of 2008?
"What struck me the most was the athletic and physical consistency of Alessandro Del Piero. Nobody had any doubt he was a champion, but this year he showed a form which allowed him to be a fundamental character. In 2008, Juventus played 4320 minutes. Del Piero was on the field for over 3531, therefore his physical presence was very evident and important".
"Nicola Legrottaglie has become a splendid reality of our defence, while Giorgio Chiellini I think will be our future captain. Then there are the young players: we speak of De Ceglie, Marchisio, Giovinco but there are others that come from a youth nursery which we didn’t build ourselves but which we believed in and in which we invested. Our coach showed faith in the young players and we can now play with 6 or 7 Italian players out of the 11 fielded. Many of these are young like Molinaro".
What is your greatest dream for 2009? Amauri becoming Italian, Del Piero called-up for Italy or the scudetto won by Juventus?
"In 2009, if I had to choose one it would be Juventus winning the scudetto. Then Del Piero’s call-up and Amauri becoming Italian. This last dream would allow him to help the azzurri and us to keep him in Europe rather then him having to travel long and cumbersome distances for Brazil".
What would you choose between the scudetto and the Champions League?
"I am sure that this January Juventus will do better then it did during the same month of 2008. We have a good Inter before us but I still believe we can win the scudetto. However, Inter must take a false step or two, seeing its ahead of us in the table. Our players have the right stimuli on all fronts but if I had to look into the eyes of the great champions I think they would want the Champions League. For them it remains the first objective".
What was your message to the Juventus managers and players for 2009?
"I did not speak much of 2009 with the managers and the players because when things are going well many words aren’t necessary. Even against Atalanta in Bergamo we fielded great determination. I will say the same thing to both the players and the fans: this 2009 can give us much. It can be the year in which we are once again great with a capital G".
Juventus.com
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