Ranieri stands by old boys

Ranieri stands by old boys
Tuesday 16 September, 2008

Claudio Ranieri explains why he's sticking with the Juventus old guard in the Champions League clash with Zenit.

The Bianconeri dive back into the Champions League on Wednesday evening against the reigning UEFA Cup and European Super Cup holders.

David Trezeguet is expected to partner Alessandro Del Piero upfront, although Amauri is an option after his fine form against Udinese.

“I evaluated many things,” explained the Coach. “Above all who is in the best shape, but international experience also counts.

“What mattered the most, though, was the fact in these two years the players have suffered so much and fought hard, making enormous sacrifices to get back into Serie A and Europe.

“Now I want to give them the chance in this competition that they deserve, that they earned. This is my way of showing all the respect I have for them.”

The likes of Trezeguet, Del Piero, Gigi Buffon, Mauro Camoranesi and Pavel Nedved stuck with Juventus even after the Calciopoli scandal and their demotion to Serie B.

Ranieri fielded only one summer signing in the first leg of the Champions League preliminary round with Artmedia and again seems set to stick with the old guard.

Jonathan Zebina and Cristiano Zanetti are the only remaining injury worries for Ranieri, so Nicola Legrottaglie and Giorgio Chiellini start in central defence.

Juventus squad: 1 Buffon, 3 Chiellini, 4 Mellberg, 7 Salihamidzic, 8 Amauri, 9 Iaquinta, 10 Del Piero, 11 Nedved, 13 Manninger, 15 Knezevic, 16 Camoranesi, 17 Trezeguet, 18 Poulsen, 19 Marchisio, 20 Giovinco, 21 Grygera, 22 Sissoko, 28 Molinaro, 29 De Ceglie, 30 Tiago, 32 Marchionni.

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