Flu-riddled Juventus could be forced into cancelling Old Trafford encounter
The Serie A giants were forced to cancel last night’s intended training session after leaving Turin without five leading members of their squad and have another three running temperatures, making them doubtful for the Old Trafford encounter.
Even coach Marcello Lippi was spluttering as he revealed the tale of woe and while the Juventus chief claimed the problem was still not serious enough for them to approach UEFA, he admitted if there were any more virus victims overnight, he would have no alternative other than to ask for the game to be put back.
“It is an extraordinary situation,” he said. “I have never had to deal with anything like this before in my coaching career.
“There are three or four players running near 40-degree temperatures and we will have to see how things develop overnight.
“At the moment there is not a problem but if things have become much worse tomorrow morning we will have to look at it again.”
Should the situation deteriorate, UEFA chief operating officer Gerhard Aigner would make the final decision, although there is no set regulation for the number of players who need to be injured before a match can be called off.
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, striking duo Marcelo Salas and Marco di Vaio, plus defender Alessandro Birindelli and midfield man Gianluca Zambrotta are among the players who have been left behind, while Alessandro del Piero has travelled but will not take the field because of a long-standing groin injury.
“We only have 15 players to start with, plus another three I have brought in from the reserves,” admitted Lippi.
“I have not even had a chance to think about tomorrow’s game yet.”
France international David Trezeguet is believed to be among those struggling but his presence will be vital if Juventus are to threaten United’s 100% Group D record after the opening two games.
Lippi is still looking on the positive side despite the crippling problems which have decimated his side.
“The more negative things become, the more positive we must be,” he said.
“Losing the training session won’t affect us one way or the other. Given the circumstances, it would have been a stupid risk to take.”
For all his problems, Lippi could still raise a smile at the furore which has surrounded old friend Alex Ferguson this week.
David Beckham’s advisors have moved quickly to reinforce the fact that the England midfielder did require stitches in the wound above his eye, contrary to Ferguson’s earlier assertion that it was just a graze.
Lippi though doesn’t believe the incident should be over dramatised.
“What happened in that changing room has happened to me 50 times or more,” he said.
“I have kicked bottles of water or buckets plenty of times and it is just by chance they haven’t hit a player.
“It is a question of technique,” he added with a smile. “Scots obviously have finer technique.
“Sir Alex Ferguson is a great man and I admire him both as a football manager and an individual.”
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