Turin Juventus

The Puma

“Juventus is a very different team to the others which I have played in here in Europe. They are a team with a winning mentality which has helped to secure their success over the years.” The most recent of these successes was the victory over Werder Bremen on Tuesday evening when Emerson fired an instinctive shot in the dying minutes to secure a 2-1 win for Juventus and qualification for the quarter-finals. “I hadn't realised that the 'keeper had lost the ball, because I had my back to the goal, then I heard Fabio (Cannavaro) call my name: "Puma, Puma!", I turned, I took a shot and thankfully it went in.” Emerson Ferreira da Rosa arrived at Juventus in the summer of 2004 and in his first season helped the bianconeri to their 28th Scudetto. A combative central midfielder, he is always at the centre of the game; breaking up the opposition’s rhythm and supplying the first ball to the Juventus attack. Capello is certainly a big admirer of the Brasilian whom he brought with him from Roma: “His greatest quality is the ability to protect the ball. He always knows where to position himself on the pitch and has huge tactical awareness” “When I arrived I knew the responsibility that awaited me, and that was to always win.” It is this attitude and self-belief that makes Emerson such a key player in the Juventus squad. His leadership and competitiveness have helped the bianconeri to the top of Serie A this season and, who knows, may help them in their quest for European glory as well…

posted by Kevin @ 11:25 AM