“If France doesn’t win the European Championships it will be a problem.” Word of David Trezeguetworld champion with Les Bleus in 1998 and European champion in 2000, on the sidelines of the Milan Football Week in Gae Aulenti, Portanuova.
How do you see France in this European Championship?
«It’s the favorite team. His is a journey that began in 2016 when he lost the continental final against Portugal. Then he won in Russia in 2018. He had a decline, but in 2022 he made, losing, the World Cup final in Qatar. Furthermore, he has a great coach and his players are winners. They play in the best European clubs and have great technical quality.”
How do you see Italy?
«It is a team that I see as motivated, with a coach who won the scudetto at Napoli and Naples is not an easy place. Now Luciano Spalletti has this opportunity. We expect a lot from Italy. He cannot hide behind his story.”
Have you got an idea why there is less talent in this Italy compared to your time?
«In Italy talents are less involved in the championship. There are teams that allow many foreigners to play, giving Italian talent no chance to emerge. We need to work hard on this and Spalletti also pointed this out.”
Speaking of Italy, you scored the Golden Goal in the 2000 European final.
«Then they took it away for Italy (laughs, ed.). For us it was fundamental to confirm the victory of the 1998 World Cup. A complete team that had players who played in the most important championships. Then Spain overtook us with the treble, but we were the first to do the World and European doubles.”
For her, those at Juventus were important years.
«I arrived at Juventus and the owners were Del Piero and Pippo Inzaghi. I arrived as the fourth attacker, Kovacevic was also there. I was of the opinion that I had to demonstrate my qualities when I had the opportunity. Then came Lippi, a father. For me it was very important. I had to score 100 goals at Monaco, win a World Cup and a European Championship to get to Juventus. These were the parameters. I had the dream of showing all my qualities in Italy, which was the most competitive championship at that time. A negative moment? Milan’s victory in the Champions League final at Old Trafford against us.”
What do you remember about May 5, 2002?
«It was good for many things. Juventus hadn’t won for a while and I won the top scorer ranking. For the fans it was a great satisfaction. What if we already knew the result? You felt it from the audience, from the environment. Lazio played a great match against Inter. For the Juventus people that was the most beautiful scudetto.”
In 2006, together with Buffon, Nedved, Del Piero and Camoranesi, he decided to go to Serie B.
«For me it was a complicated choice, from a sporting point of view. However, this seemed right to me: Juventus had given me everything. I felt the need to make a contribution at a delicate moment. Others have chosen different paths, but they must be respected. B was also a fun adventure.”
The defender who made you suffer the most?
«I don’t know about suffering, there are those who have beaten me more. Couto and Mihajlovic were tough at Lazio, it was tough against them. Maldini was a legend, while Cordoba was at Inter. I grew up with the Thurams and the Cannavaros.”
Is Thiago Motta the right man for Juventus?
«I knew him as a player, he played in teams where he won a lot. What Bologna did is thanks to him. He showed that he has a different game and a different idea. I believe in changes and something needed to be changed at Juve. The Bianconeri will compete in the Champions League and the Club World Cup and will need a competitive squad.”
A judgment on Vlahovic?
«He himself was clear: he must improve a lot and make an important contribution to Juve».
Finally, a thought on Antonio Conte’s decision to go and coach Napoli?
«It’s an important change for him. He searches for stimuli. We know him, he will be very focused on the championship and the Italian Cup.”
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