Saturday, May 30, 2009
Ferrara: "We Have To Make Sure That We Are Focused"
It is the last match of the season. Juventus coached by Ciro Ferrara will be attempting to confirm themselves in the second place of the championship.
In order to make sure of this the bianconeri must win: "The objective was to qualify directly to the Champions League but we have another objective now: that of ending in the second place and this would be the cherry on the cake for these two weeks of hard work".
"Tomorrow is the last day of school but we have to attend class and we will be tested so we have to make sure that we are focused. We will be playing at home in front of our supporters and we want to leave a great impression through good football".
The match against Lazio will see the return of a player who has been absent for quite some time due to injury – Hasan Salihamidzic: "Salihamidzic will be playing. He has been absent for a very long time but he is well and trained for the last two weeks with us and with problems in the defence he is the automatic choice".
Asked about his impression of the last two weeks since he has been sitting on the Juventus bench Ciro Ferrara could not hide his satisfaction:
"I am very satisfied because we managed to win ourselves a tranquil position but also for these two weeks during which we worked very well. I am also happy that notwithstanding qualifying directly for the Champions League last week they were still very committed this week and I would like to thank the players for this. Against Siena the team responded to the negative moment as if they suddenly recognized their objective and helped me as coach very much".
"They are obviously aware of the jersey they are wearing. I would like to thank all those who helped me in these two weeks. The staff must be on the same wavelength and in my case they certainly are. I am trying to carry-out the role entrusted to me with determination, dedication and hard work knowing that this was a perfect week but it is not always like this".
"There will come difficult times and very difficult times but I will try to overcome them in the best of manners. The coach is important during the week: preparing the match and trying to motivate the players. On the match day however it is the players who are professionals of very high level and who are the absolute protagonists".
Asked about Jonathan Zebina who the coach chose to field from the first minute against Siena, Ferrara said: "Jonathan had a number of injuries but in the last two weeks he worked really well. I tried to explain to him that in his role he must first defend and then only attack when it is possible. We spoke a lot during the week. He was very available and this showed".
The players seemed to respond well to the coach from Naples and his methods: "I think the attitude is that of professional footballers who want to do well. All the players have great personality. They helped me understand how to manage a team after having seen how it is done when I was a player".
"My role as director of the youth sector also helped me very much. Then it is normal that day after day one improves and learns. I am a good listener and observer and this has helped me a great deal. One must be open to the players’ ideas but then take his decision and make sure that the team accepts it".
"Obviously the coach’s decisions are not always necessarily right but one learns also from mistakes. All players want to play but the coach has to take some decisions. In a great team there are players who play less but many times players who do not play so often are very important at certain stages of the season".
Tomorrow is the last match of the season and many are asking if Ciro Ferrara, who seems to have filled the role of Juventus coach so well in these last two weeks, will be confirmed or whether Juventus will opt for another coach:
"The decision about my future does not depend on me or the players but on the club directors. I am rather tranquil about it because words were clear when I accepted this role which I will surely keep till Sunday and then next week we’ll know what the definite choice is. For me this was a great possibility which could have been risky but which was worth it and very important for my future".
"Life is always full of risks. I am not thinking of my future at the moment but my thoughts are exclusively on tomorrow’s match. Conte? I spoke via sms with Antonio Conte because our relationship is very good but we obviously both have our aspirations for the future. We joke about it".
From the future of the coach to the future of the Czech fury: "I don’t know about Nedved. I’ve been hearing much about this but the player himself has not yet spoken about it. As an ex-team-mate I really enjoyed coaching him in these last two weeks especially when you see his great dedication and intensity during training. Seeing from the way he trains he has still many more minutes in his legs. What I can say is that if he decides to retire it would be sad for world football just like in the case of Maldini".
Juventus.com
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