Giovanni Cobolli Gigli

Juventus chief targets second
Friday 28 March, 2008

Juventus President Giovanni Cobolli Gigli believes the Bianconeri can fight for second place after last weekend’s triumph over Inter.

The Old Lady grabbed an unexpected 2-1 win in the Derby d’Italia and lead fourth-placed Fiorentina by five points but trail Roma by six.

“For us, the win over Inter was more than just a football result,” Cobolli Gigli recalled. “For 12 million Juve fans it was a moment of atonement.”

The win also took the pressure off Coach Claudio Ranieri, whose future had been clouded in speculation after Press criticism.

“Ranieri’s position was never up for debate,” the Juve chief insisted.

“Along with Alessio Secco and Jean-Claude Blanc he will make the decisions in the next market. He is our Coach this year, next year and the year after.”

While the Cadetti champions look almost certain to secure a place in next term’s Champions League, they are now targeting second place, which would allow them to avoid the preliminary stages.

“In my opinion it is a realistic aim to reach second place, even if winning at San Siro gave Roma back their belief,” Cobolli Gigli stressed.

“In my opinion, the Giallorossi can win the Scudetto because they have a more favourable run-in than Inter.”

Cobolli Gigli concluded with a thought for captain Alessandro Del Piero, who looks likely to miss out on Roberto Donadoni’s Euro 2008 squad.

“He had a great second half in Milan,” he said. “I have always thought of him as an Azzurri player, but the decision isn’t up to me.”

*channel4