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| 16 - 31 May
2002 15 MAY 2002 Dyer Confident Of Recovery Keiron Dyer has been undergoing intense physiotherapy in a big to make England's World Cup squad. England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has given the Newcastle midfielder until Friday to prove his fitness. Dyer was seen walking freely at the club earlier today and told a reporter he was 'confident' of his chances. Mazzone - Baggio Destroyed "You all know we are very close and I have to tell you he sounded extremely depressed in these past days. He's a destroyed man. If I was Trap I would have selected Baggio as he has never been in such good shape as he is now. The incredible recovery Baggio was able to make should have been to enough to earn him the call." - Carlo Mazzone Macca Slams Eriksson "Of course I think I should be going to the World Cup. If I didn't then I wouldn't deserve a place. I believe in my ability and that I'm better than others and that's why I play for Real Madrid. People have always said I haven't done it for my country but since Euro 96 I've hardly had the chance to play two consecutive games and it's impossible without a proper run. It's sad I've not been given that chance and it's sad maybe the England manager doesn't understand me, or recognise my ability." - Steve McManaman Murphy Signs New Contract Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has signed a new five year contract tying him to the club until 2007. Henry To Play On The Wing "It's true that Thierry plays as a central attacker for Arsenal but he has featured for France regularly on the wing and he has proved he can play in that position. Why should we change? The current system works best for the team and the players within the squad." - Roger Lemerre Sociedad Name Denoueix New Coach Reynald Denoueix has been named new coach of Real Sociedad. Denoueix was sacked by Nantes half-way through last season having lead them to the championship in the 1999-2000 season. Denmark, Ecuador, South Korea and USA Squad Lists DENMARK Goalkeepers : Thomas Sorensen (Sunderland), Peter Kjaer (Aberdeen), Jesper Christiansen (Vejle) Defenders : Jan Heintze (PSV), Rene Henriksen (Panathinaikos), Niclas Jensen (Man City), Thomas Helveg (Milan), Martin Laursen (Milan), Kaspar Bogelund (PSV), Steven Lustu (Lyn) Midfielders : Christian Poulsen (FC Copenhagen), Thomas Gravesen (Everton), Claus Jensen (Charlton), Brian Steen Nielsen (Malmo), Stig Tofting (Bolton) Forwards : Jan Michaelsen (Panathinaikos), Jon Dahl Tomasson (Feyenoord), Jesper Gronkjaer (Chelsea), Dennis Rommedahl (PSV), Ebbe Sand (Schalke), Martin Jorgensen (Udinese), Peter Lovenkrands (Rangers), Peter Madsen (Brondby) ECUADOR Goalkeepers : Jose Cevallos (Barcelone Guayaquil), Johvani Ibarra (El Nacional), Daniel Viteri (Emelec) Defenders : Geovany Espinoza (Aucas), Ivan Hurtado (Barcelona Guayaquil), Augusto Porozo (Emelec), Raul Guerron (Deportivo Quito), Marlon Ayovi (Deportivo Quito), Ulises de la Cruz (Hibernian), Luis Gomez (Barcelona Guayaquil) Midfielders : Edison Mendez (Deportivo Quito), Edwin Tenorio (Barcelona Guayaquil), Alfonso Obregon (Liga de Quito), Cleber Chala (El Nacional), Juan Carlos Burbano (El Nacional), Wellington Sanchez (Emelec), Walter Ayovi (Emelec), Alex Aguinaga (Necaxa) Strikers : Nicolas Asencio (Barcelona Guayaquil), Carlos Tenorio (Liga de Quito), Ivan Kaviedes (Barcelona Guayaquil), Angel Fernandez (El Nacional), Agustin Delgado (Southampton) SOUTH KOREA Keepers : Choi Eun-Sung (Taejon Citizen), Kim Byung-Ji (Pohang Steelers), Lee Woon-Jae (Suwon Blue) Defenders : Choi Jin-Chul (Chonbuk Hyundai), Hong Myung-Bo (Pohang Steelers), Kim Tae-Young (Chunnam Dragons), Lee Min-Sung (Pusan Icons), Hyun Young-Min (Ulsan Hyundai) Midfielders : Ahn Jung-Hwan (Perugia), Choi Sung-Yong (Suwon Blue Wings), Kim Nam-Il (Chunnam Dragons), Lee Eul-Yong (Bucheon SK), Lee Young-Pyo (Anyang LG), Park Ji-Sung (Kyoto Purple Sanga), Song Chong-Gug (Pusan I.cons), Yoo Sang-Chul (Kashiwa Reysol), Yoon Jong-Hwan (Cerezo Osaka) Forwards : Cha Doo-Ri (Korea University), Choi Yong-Soo (JEF United), Choi Tae-Uk (Anyang LG), Hwang Sun-Hong (Kashiwa Reysol), Lee Chun-Soo (Ulsan Hyundai), Seol Ki-Hyeon (Anderlecht) USA Goalkeepers : Brad Friedel (Blackburn), Kasey Keller (Tottenham), Tony Meola (Kansas City Wizards) Defenders : Jeff Agoos (San Jose Earthquakes), Greg Berhalter (Crystal Palace), Frankie Hejduk (Leverkusen), Carlos Llamosa (New England Revolution), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids), Eddie Pope, David Regis (Metz), Tony Sanneh (Nuremberg) Midfielders : Chris Armas (Chicago Fire), DaMarcus Beasley (Chicago Fire), Landon Donovan (San Jose Earthquakes), Cobi Jones (Los Angeles Galaxy), Eddie Lewis (Fulham), John O'Brien (Ajax), Claudio Reyna (Sunderland), Earnie Stewart (NAC Breda) Forwards : Clint Mathis (New York/New Jersey MetroStars), Brian McBride (Columbus Crew), Joe-Max Moore (Everton), Josh Wolff (Chicago Fire) 14 MAY 2002 No Place For Saviola In Argentina Squad Argentina's coach, Marcelo Bielsa, has announced 21 of the 23 players that will make the trip to Japan and Korea. Bielsa has confirmed that Barcelona prodigy Javier Saviola will not be part of the squad and Boca Juniors playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme is also expected to miss out. The remaining places are expected to go to defenders Juan Pablo Sorin and Diego Placente. Goalkeepers : Burgos (Atletico Madrid), Cavallero (Celta Vigo), Bonano (Barcelona) Defenders : Ayala (Valencia), Pochettino (PSG), Samuel (Roma), Chamot (Milan) Midfielders : Zanetti (Inter), Simeone (Lazio), Veron (Manchester United), Husain (River Plate), Almeyda (Parma), Aimar (Valencia), Gallardo (Monaco) Forwards : Ortega (River Plate), Batistuta (Roma), Kily Gonzalez (Valencia), Caniggia (Rangers), Crespo, Claudio Lopez (Lazio), Gustavo Lopez (Celta Vigo) Gerrard Out Of World Cup England's World Cup hopes have been dealt a devastating blow with the news that Steven Gerrard will require surgery following the re-occurrence of a groin injury during Liverpool's final Premiership game of the season against Ipswich on Saturday. Gerrard will be out of action for six weeks but is expected to be fit for pre-season training. Liverpool Agree Fee For Anelka "The fee has been settled with Paris and we have also sorted out terms with the player. The terms are well below what his agents wanted, in fact they are about half of the amount but I will spend the next week deciding whether to go through with the deal. I need a new striker for next season to replace Robbie Fowler and obviously Anelka is my first option." - Gerard Houllier West Ham's wasteful striker, Frederic Kanoute, claims to have been approached by Liverpool. It seems unlikely Liverpool will follow up interest in signing Auxerre's outstanding striker, Djibril Cisse. 13 MAY 2002 Barcelona - Van Gaal In, Kluivert and Rivaldo Out In a move of utter stupidity Barcelona, who have courted the likes of Alex Ferguson, Fabio Capello and Carlos Bianchi, have re-appointed Louis Van Gaal as coach. Van Gaal enjoyed initial success at Barcelona before loosing the confidence of the players and fans lead to his dismissal. He then took over as coach of the Dutch national team and despite a wealth of talent failed to qualify them for this years World Cup finals. It's rumoured that Van Gaal wants to get rid of Patrick Kluivert and Rivaldo. Kluivert could be on his way to Man United and Rivaldo has been linked with Lazio with Hernan Crespo going in the opposite direction. Van Gaal's first two signings are rumoured to be.... two Dutchmen! Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Clarence Seedorf. Trap's Closure On Baggio "There was not enough time for him to prove he had completely recovered from the injury, that's all. I know that many fans are disappointed but if 51% of them still support me, it wouldn't be bad. However, I can't build a roster based on fan-polls. I always try to do what's best for the team, I don't make choices because I like or do not like a player." - Giovanni Trapattoni Spain, Portugal, Senegal & Costa Rica World Cup Squads SPAIN Goalkeepers : Santiago Canizares (Valencia), Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Ricardo Lopez Felipe (Valladolid) Defenders : Enrique Fernandez Romero (Deportivo), Juan Francisco 'Juanfran' Garcia (Celta), Miguel Angel Nadal (Mallorca), Fernando Hierro (Real Madrid), Curro Torres (Valencia), Carles Puyol (Barcelona) Hiero and Nadal in defence hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha:) Midfielders : Joaquin Sanchez (Betis), Juan Carlos Valeron (Deportivo), Sergio Gonzalez (Deportivo), Ivan Helguera (Real Madrid), Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona), Francisco De Pedro (Real Sociedad), Luis Enrique Martinez (Barcelona), Gaizka Mendieta (Lazio), David Abelda, Ruben Baraja (Valencia) Vicente should have went instead of the lightweight and un-productive Valeron. Forwards : Diego Tristan (Deportivo), Raul Gonzalez, Fernando Morientes (Real Madrid), Alberto Luque Martos (Mallorca) PORTUGAL Goalkeepers: Nelson Pereira (Sporting Lisbon), Ricardo Pereira (Boavista), Vitor Baia (Porto). Defenders : Abel Xavier (Liverpool), Roberto Severo "Beto" (Sporting Lisbon), Marco Caneira (Benfica), Fernando Couto (Lazio), Nuno Frechaut (Boavista), Jorge Andrade (Porto), Jorge Costa (Charlton), Rui Jorge Oliveira (Sporting Lisbon) Midfielders : Nuno Rocha "Capucho" (Porto), Luis Figo (Real Madrid), Paulo Bento (Sporting Lisbon), Paulo Sousa (Espanyol), Pedro Barbosa (Sporting Lisbon), Armando Teixeira "Petit" (Boavista), Rui Costa (Milan), Sergio Conceicao (Inter), Daniel Kenedy (Maritimo Funchal) Shame that Quaresma, one of the rising stars of Portuguese football, didn't make the finals squad. Forwards : Joao Pinto (Sporting Lisbon), Nuno Ribeiro "Gomes" (Fiorentina), Pedro Resendes "Pauleta" (Bordeaux) SENEGAL Goalkeepers : Tony Sylva (Monaco), Oumar Diallo (Khourigba), Kalidou Cissokho (Jeanne d'Arc) Defenders : Omar Daff (Sochaux), Lamine Diatta (Rennes), Ferdinand Coly (Lens), Aliou Cisse (Montpellier), Habib Beye (Strasbourg), Pape Malick Diop (Lorient), Alassane Ndour (Saint-Etienne), Khalilou Fadiga (Auxerre) Midfielders : Pape Sarr (Lens), Salif Diao (Sedan), Moussa Ndiaye (Sedan), Amdy Moustapha Faye (Auxerre), Pape Bouba Diop (Lens), Makhtar Ndiaye (Rennes), Sylvain Ndiaye (Lille) Forwards : El Hadj Diouf (Lens), Henri Camara (Sedan), Pape Thiaw (Lausanne), Amara Traore (Gueugnon), Souleymane Camara (Monaco) COSTA RICA Goalkeepers : Erick Lonnis (Saprissa), Alvaro Mesen (Alajuela), Lester Morgan Defenders : Carlos Castro (Alajuela), Harold Wallace (Alajuela), Mauricio Wright (Heredia), Juan Jose Rodriguez (San Carlos), Daniel Vallejo (Heredia), Reynaldo Parks (Saprissa),Jervis Drummond (Saprissa), Gilberto Martinez (Brescia/Ita), Luis Marin (Alajuela) Midfielders : Wilmer Lopez (Alajuela), Mauricio Solis (Alajuela), Walter Centeno (Saprissa), Rodrigo Cordero (Heredia), Rolando Fonseca (Alajuela) Attackers : William Sunsing (Heredia), Ronald Gomez (Ofi-Crete), Winston Parks (Udinese), Paulo Cesar Wanchope (Manchester City), Steven Bryce (Alajuela), Hernan Medford (Saprissa) 12 MAY 2002 Dyer Out, Doubts Over Gerrard Keiron Dyer is out of England's World Cup following a wretched foul by Southampton's Tahar El-Khalej during Newcastle's league match on Saturday. Influential midfielder Steven Gerrard is also a doubt following the re-occurrence of a groin injury. England coach Sven Goran Eriksson claimed doctors were not optimistic about Gerrard's chances of recovery. Liverpool team-mate Danny Murphy has been called into the squad. Trevor Sinclair is on stand-by if Gerrard doesn't recover in time for the finals. Belgium Lose Star Striker Emile Mpenza will miss the finals after failing to recover from a muscle injury . FIFA World Cup Highlights On-Line fifaworldcup.com, the official World Cup website, have purchased the rights to show World Cup highlights on-line. Four minute highlights from all 64 matches will be available hours after the end of each match at a total cost of $19.95. The price of the package also includes goals, interviews, commentary in six languages and screensavers. Beckham Extends Man United Contract David Beckham has signed a new contract with Manchester United that will keep him at the club at least until June 2005. He is reportedly set to earn £90,000 per week in wages. 10 MAY 2002 England World Cup Squad - No Surprises Goalkeepers : Seaman (Arsenal), Martyn (Leeds), James (West Ham). Unfortunately for England fat boy Seaman will be number one. Defenders: Ferdinand (Leeds), Campbell (Arsenal), Southgate (Middlesbrough), Ashley Cole (Arsenal), Bridge (Southampton), Mills (Leeds), Brown (Man United), Keown (Arsenal) Keown is rubbish but no Nevilles, well done Sven! Midfielders : Beckham (Man United), Scholes (Man United), Gerrard (Liverpool), Dyer (Newcastle), Butt (Man United), Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Joe Cole (West Ham) The team's strong point. A fabulous midfield. Murphy should have went instead of Hargreaves but he is on stand-by. Forwards : Owen (Liverpool), Heskey (Liverpool), Vassell (Aston Villa), Fowler (Leeds), Sheringham (Tottenham) There was late speculation that Blackburn's Matt Jansen would get a spot but Eriksson has opted for media darling Teddy Sheringham, despite a crap season. Zac Sacked Lazio have sacked coach Alberto Zaccheroni. Former Fiorentina coach and Lazio player Roberto 'Henry' Mancini will be unveiled as the new coach on Friday. Candela Sick Of Living In Lizarazu's Shadow "I've spent World Cup on the bench and I want to play in this one. People say my chance will come after the World Cup but that does not interest me. I don't even know if I will play on after 2002. I've won the title in Italy and twice been named best left-back in Serie A, so it's true that sometimes I ask myself, 'Why is it always Lizarazu?'." - Vincent Candela Baggio Gracious At Omission "The selection went as it did. I may not be part of the squad but I want to wish the players who are going the very best and hopefully they can lift the trophy." - Roberto Baggio Interest In Doni Cools "I can honestly say that I don't even know whether I will be playing for an Italian side or a foreign club next term. As far as I know there are no negotiations in progress. The club are aware that I want to leave but no one has contacted me to tell me that any talks have begun." - Cristiano Doni Hubner Eyes The Big Time "I hope that all of the goals that I scored this season will help me to find a big club. I would like to thank Milan for selecting me for this tournament and it is an important adventure because it gives me a taste of football at the highest level." - Dario 'The Boss' Hubner 8 MAY 2002 Juve Not Interested In Cannavaro & Doni "Doni doesn't interest us. We already have Pavel Nedved and we have no intention of doubling up on roles We won't be buying any more defenders. We will be focusing on Paolo Montero who has virtually missed all of this season with injury. We've already signed Davide Baiocco and Bologna duo Matteo Brighi and Salvatore Fresi and we'll stop there." Juventus General Director Luciano Moggi Ambrosini Told of Omission In Advance "I knew this would happen. Some of the FA directors gave me the news before the names were announced. I am upset and annoyed to be left at home. I always maintained hope until the very end. I was wrong." Massimo Ambrosini Italy World Cup Squad - No Place for Baggio & Ambrosini Goalkeepers : Buffon (Juventus), Toldo (Inter), Abbiati (Milan) Defenders : Nesta (Lazio), Cannavaro (Parma), Maldini (Milan), Materazzi (Inter), Iuliano (Juventus), Panucci (Roma), Coco (Barcelona) Midfielders : Zambrotta (Juventus), Di Livio (Fiorentina), Di Biagio (Inter), Zanetti (Inter), Tommasi (Roma), Gattuso (Milan), Doni (Atalanta) Taking a non talent like Di Livio and leaving out Massimo Ambrosini will cost Italy the World Cup. Forwards : Totti (Roma), Inzaghi (Milan), Del Piero (Juventus), Montella (Roma), Delvecchio (Roma), Vieri (Inter) No surprise to see that Baggio doesn't make it. Roma Want Adriano Roma President Franco Sensi is determined to sign Inter's awesome striker, not not Ronaldo, Adriano! The powerfully built Brazilian with pace and explosive shooting power has been on loan to Fiorentina. "Dellas (defender, Perugia) and Bombardini (midfielder, Palermo) are already ours, we convinced Monaco to sell us Panucci (crap), and we are about to sign two more players. One of these is Adriano. I am now going to fly to Milan, where I'll meet my friend Moratti and try to convince him to hand the young Brazilian over to us." No idea who Roma's other target is, possibly Diego Tristan or Fernando Morientes. Cuper would be committing career suicide if he lets Adriano leave. The new transfer lists will be on-line later in the week. Hubner On Trail At Milan Milan will give a trial to Serie A top scorer, 35 year old Dario 'The Boss' Hubner during their tour of the US which starts at the end of the week. Terim Back At Gala Fatih Terim, sacked last year by Milan, is back in charge of Galatasaray, the club he guided to four successive Turkish league titles and the UEFA Cup. Terim aims to continue where he left off : "Nobody should have any doubts that we will expend incredible efforts to make Galatasaray a leading club in Europe. We know that we do not really have the financial backing for that but we were in the same situation when we won the Uefa Cup. It just means that we have to think carefully before making transfers. We will have to look out for young stars, but also experienced players." Don't be surprised to see Terim raid Serie A. Umit Davila, signed by Terim while at Milan, is expected to be his first recruit. Feyenoord Defender Fails Drugs Test Feyenoord's Polish defender Euzebiusz Smolarek has tested positive for banned substance cannabinol which is found in cannabis. He is banned with immediate effect and will miss Wednesday's UEFA Cup final against newly crowned German Champions Borussia Dortmund. World Cup Squads BRAZIL Goalkeepers : Marcos (Palmeiras), Dida (Corinthians), Rogerio (Sao Paulo) Defenders : Cafu (Roma), Beleti (Sao Paulo), Junior (Parma), Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid), Lucio (Bayer Leverkusen), Roque Junior (Milan), Polga (Gremio), Edmilson (Lyon) Brazil are very weak in central defence. A defence geared to attack not to defend. Midfielders: Gilberto Silva (Atletico Mineiro), Kleberson (Atletico Paranaense), Emerson (Roma), Vampeta (Corinthians), Ronaldinho Gaucho (PSG), Juninho Paulista (Flamengo), Kaka (Sao Paulo) No place for two of Brazil's World Class midfielders - Serginho (Milan) and Ze Roberto (Leverkusen). SUICIDE. Attackers: Edilson (Cruzeiro), Denilson (Real Betis), Rivaldo (Barcelona), Luizao (Gremio), Ronaldo (Inter) No surprise to see Romario omitted as he has many enemies amongst the squad. The best striker in the World, Mario Jardel, will not play in the World Cup. SUICIDE. GERMANY Goalkeepers : Oliver Kahn (Bayern Munich), Jens Lehmann (Dortmund), Hans-Joerg Butt (Bayer Leverkusen) Kahn has become increasingly 'prone to mistakes in recent seasons but Voeller is likely to stick by the veteran goalkeeper. Defenders: Thomas Linke (Bayern Munich), Christian Woerns, Sebastian Kehl, Christoph Metzelder, Joerg Heinrich (all Dortmund), Marko Rehmer (Hertha Berlin), Christian Ziege (Tottenham) Jens Nowotny, out with a torn cruciate knee ligament injury, is a huge loss. Midfielders: Michael Ballack, Carsten Ramelow, Bernd Schneider (all Leverkusen), Sebastian Deisler (Hertha Berlin), Torsten Frings (Werder Bremen), Jens Jeremies (Bayern Munich), Dietmar Hamann (Liverpool) Ballack is Germany's only World Class player in a very slow, one dimensional midfield. A lot is expected of Sebastian Deisler who has just returned from a five month injury lay off. Strikers: Gerald Asamoah (Schalke), Oliver Bierhoff (Monaco), Oliver Neuville (Bayer Leverkusen), Carsten Jancker (Bayern Munich), Miroslav Klose (Kaiserslautern), Marco Bode (Werder Bremen) No surprises but then Germany don't have many options REPUBLIC OF IRELAND Goalkeepers : Shay Given (Newcastle), Dean Kiely (Charlton), Alan Kelly (Blackburn) The World Cup will give Shay Given a chance to prove that he is a World Class goalkeeper. Defenders : Steve Staunton (Aston Villa), Steve Finan (Fulham), Kenny Cunningham (Wimbledon), Gary Breen (Coventry), Ian Harte (Leeds), Gary Kelly (Leeds), Richard Dunne (Manchester City), Andy O'Brien (Newcastle) Not a strong defence Midfielders : Jason McAteer (Sunderland), Roy Keane (Manchester United), Mark Kinsella (Charlton), Matt Holland (Ipswich), Kevin Kilbane (Sunderland), Mark Kennedy (Wolves), Lee Carsley (Everton) Keane can run a midfield by himself which is a good thing all things considered! Forwards : Robbie Keane (Leeds), Niall Quinn (Sunderland), Clinton Morrison (Crystal Palace), Damien Duff (Blackburn), David Connelly (Wimbledon) Duff could be one of the stars of the tournament. SLOVENIA Goalkeepers : Mladen Dabanovic (Lokeren), Dejan Nemec (Bruges), Marko Simeunovic (Maribor) Defenders : Spasoje Bulajic (Koln), Marinko Galic (Sportline Koper), Aleksander Knavs (Kaiserslautern), Zeljko Milinovic (?), Goran Sankovic (Slavia Prague), Muamer Vugdalic (Maribor) Midfielders : Milenko Acimovic (Tottenham), Ales Ceh (Gak), Nastja Ceh (Bruges), Sasa Gajser (Gent), Amir Karic (Maribor), Dzoni Novak (Unterhaching), Miran Pavlin (Portol), Zoran Pavlovic (FK Austria), Rajko Tavcar (Nuremberg), Zlatko Zahovic (Benfica) Fowards : Sebastjan Cimerotic (Lecce), Milan Osterc (Hapoel Tel Aviv), Mladen Rudonja (Portsmouth), Senad Tiganj (Olympija) SWEDEN Goalkeepers : 1. Magnus Hedman (Coventry), 12. Magnus Kihlstedt (FC Copenhagen), 23. Andreas Isaksson (Djurgarden) Defenders : 2. Olof Mellberg (Aston Villa), 3. Patrik Andersson (FC Barcelona), 4. Johan Mjallby (Celtic), 5. Michael Svensson (Troyes), 13. Tomas Antonelius (FC Copenhagen), 14. Erik Edman (Herenveen) 15. Andreas Jakobsson (Hansa Rostock), 16. Teddy Lucic (AIK) Midfielders & Forwards : 6. Tobias Linderoth (Everton), 7. Niclas Alexandersson (Everton), 8. Anders Svensson (Southampton), 9. Fredrik Ljungberg (Arsenal), 10. Macus Allback (Heerenveen), 11. Henrik Larsson (Celtic), 17. Magnus Svensson (Brondby), 18. Mattias Jonsson (Brondby), 19. Hakan Mild (Wimbledon), Andreas Andersson (AIK), 20. Daniel Andersson (Venezia), 21. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Ajax), 22. Andreas Andersson (AIK) 6 MAY 2002 Serie A 2001-2002 Season Round 34 Post Match Comments Brescia vs Bologna "We did it and never lost our heads at the difficult times. This character really came out in this final match. It's a victory we want to dedicate to Vittorio Mero. We have been through a terrible year, especially Mero's tragic accident and Roberto Baggio's injury." - Leonardo Menichini (Standing in for Mazzone) "We must accept the verdict of this result, although it's disappointing, as now we must enter Europe through the Intertoto Cup. I nonetheless thank my players for a splendid season." - Francesco Guidolin Chievo vs Atalanta "We are very happy and satisfied with reaching the UEFA Cup, a very prestigious achievement. It would have been nice to qualify for the Champions League but this is fine. I am disappointed that Verona have been relegated as they are our friends and our only chance of having a local derby in Serie A." - Del Neri "The Intertoto Cup requires a large squad so this is why we decided to pass on our chance of taking part. We still don't know what the club's plans for the future are. As for this match we played very well in the first half but after the break couldn't counter Chievo's desire to play in Europe." Giovanni Vavassori Lazio vs Inter "First of all it was only right that we should do our duty. We did it because we were also very motivated to qualify for the UEFA Cup. There are regrets that we lost our Champions League chances with that defeat at Bologna, but it's all in the past now. I think it is important to stay true to your conscience. I am sorry for Inter and they had a great season." - Alberto Zaccheroni "I asked the team to keep their calm but they lost their heads completely after the break. It's a shame as we had a great chance to give the Inter fans immense joy." - Hector Cuper "Disappointment seems to be my partner in life. In a matter of moments our dreams vanished to be taken over by reality which seemed even more harder to believe. The Olympic Stadium isn't very lucky for me. I really had hoped that the memories of my knee injury here would dissolve and turn into a massive party." - Ronaldo I just hope that Lazio played for themselves and not for anybody else. Inter played some good football throughout the season but just when it mattered most they failed. I don't know whether the best side won because we were all at basically the same level. I'm saddened for my players and the fans but I'm also surprised that the side in the second half just seemed to give up." Inter President Massimo Moratti Milan vs Lecce "We were kick-started by that defeat at Bologna. We wanted this fourth place and are very happy to have achieved the club's aim. It was a complicated season with many injuries and we did not play good football. Now we have rediscovered everything we had lost sight of and are pleased to end the season on a high note." - Carlo Ancelotti "There is a great deal of bitterness but also the knowledge that we did our duty. We must now start off again from Serie B with the right mentality." Delio Rossi Parma vs Venezia "It's always nice to win and we were finally able to step onto the field free of tension. We ended the season in the best way possible and the fans deserved a final victory." - Pietro Carmignani "Venezia got themselves into trouble but we have had 11 penalties given against us this season. Everything went wrong. This match was only for the statistics and meant nothing to either side." - Alfredo Magni Perugia vs Fiorentina "This was a wonderful campaign full of shock turnarounds and uncertainty right until the final whistle. I am sorry for our former player Marco Materazzi who lost the title with Inter. I also take this opportunity to give Fiorentina my best wishes for a speedy return to Serie A." - Serse Cosmi No comments from Fiorentina. Piacenza vs Verona "The worst moment of the season was our defeat at Inter but we had a fantastic second half of the campaign and deservedly stay in Serie A. I am sorry for Verona and Inter. I thank all my players who put up with me for 12 months. This result repays them for all their efforts." - Walter Novellino "This is just horrific. I still cannot get to grips with the fact we are relegated. I take all the responsibility for this defeat. I am ready to stay for another year if the club and fans want me to." - Alberto Malesani Torino vs Roma "Overall the season was positive for us. We knew how to suffer when it was necessary and now we are reaping the rewards for our hard work. I am happy as the whole team made a difference rather than a few individual players." Giancarlo Camolese "I think we had a good season. We lost the Scudetto at Venezia. That may well be my only regret. I nonetheless want to express my most heartfelt compliments to Juventus as Champions of Italy." - Fabio Capello Udinese vs Juventus "This defeat hurts as in the first few minutes we practically gifted two goals to Juventus. They were Juve's only shots on goal, while we had five clear opportunities and didn't convert any of them." - Giampiero Ventura "All three teams had a great season, so my compliments go to Inter and Roma. I always hoped in this title and it's a stronger emotion than the other times I have won the Scudetto." - Marcello Lippi Marcello Lippi Reflects On Dramatic Season "The most difficult thing was to reconstruct the side after the departure of Zidane. For five years we were used to just giving him the ball and letting him create. We built a new side that had less fantasy but was more robust." "I remember the decisive Enzo Maresca goal in the derby, Amoruso's wonderful assist for the Nedved goal against Piacenza and also the goal that Zalayeta scored against Brescia which was disallowed." "I finished fourth with Inter which I believed was a decent result but one for which I was massacred. I was then sacked and spent six months out of action. It was hard to live without football in that period." "It seems as if I only know how to win here but that is definitely not a negative but I have had moderate success at Atalanta by finishing sixth and taking Napoli into the UEFA Cup." Giovanni Trapattoni Surprised At Inter Collapse "I thought that Inter would have won it. I was left very surprised by their defeat against Lazio but this is what is great about this sport. After all the doubts earlier in the week it was a real game." "There is a little piece of Juventus in my DNA. They are like a dragon with seven heads. You cut one off but another one sprouts up in its place. They never give up and their recovery was beautiful." Former Juve Coach Dies After Title Success Former Juventus coach, the Czech Cesto Vycpalek, passed away yesterday as the Bianconeri were celebrating their title. Vycpalek was the uncle of former Lazio and Roma coach Zdenek Zeman and lead Juve to successive scudetto's in 1972 and 1973. He died aged 81. |