Player Talk : Andrade

Andrade expects Turin triumph
Thursday 14 February, 2008

Juventus defender Jorge Andrade may be sidelined, but he has his heart set on victory over Roma this Saturday and believes the Bianconeri will prevail.

The Old Lady host Roma in Turin in a crucial second v third clash and could move within a point of the Giallorossi with a win.

Portuguese stopper Andrade has been out of action since picking up a serious knee injury at the start of the season, but he will be cheering on his teammates.

“Can Juventus finish second? We will see, but I believe that we can beat Roma,” he said on Sky Sport Italia.

“I expect us to win. As I am injured I will just be a fan but I have been impressed with how my colleagues have played in my absence.”

Andrade is nearing recovery, but reports earlier in the season that he may make an unusually early return seem to be false.

“I’m doing everything I can to be back soon,” the former Porto man stressed. “My objective is just to be fit by the end of the season and maybe play some games.

“Injuries are part of a footballer’s life and there is no panic because Nicola Legrottaglie has been doing very well while I have been out.”

* channel4