No Russian rest, urges Ranieri

No Russian rest, urges Ranieri
Monday 24 November, 2008


Juventus Coach Claudio Ranieri won't let his men treat tomorrow's Champions League encounter with Zenit St Petersburg as a meaningless match.

The Old Lady have already booked their place in the last 16, but are determined to bounce back after losing the Derby d'Italia to Inter last weekend.

Zenit can still qualify for the next round if they beat Juve in St Petersburg and Real Madrid fail to see off BATE Borisov.

“We know all about the difficulties that await us,” Ranieri assured journalists.

“We have just lost to Inter and fair play to them, but now we need to be positive and to look forward by trying to get back to winning ways.

“I watched Zenit's last game against Spartak Moscow and I saw a very good team in form who will push us hard to try and reach the last 16.

“We will try and adapt to the low temperature and I will have to consider whether to select certain players, such as Mauro Camoranesi.

“I'm hoping that our bad luck with injuries is over and Cristiano Zanetti and Christian Poulsen are nearly back.

“But I don't think I will change the midfield duo for tomorrow's game.”

*chn4