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…
Capello on Arsenal
Fabio Capello spoke today about the Champions League draw that sees Juventus face Arsenal. "When only eight teams are left, it's difficult to have a preference as they are all strong clubs. The game against Arsenal is the draw of the round. Arsenal are a great team: it's not easy to beat Real Madrid and they managed it, they also defended their advantage very well at home. They have a group of young players that are gaining experience and could be dangerous."
Vieira: “I had a feeling that this might happen”
The draw for the Champions league quarter-finals has been made. In Paris this afternoon Juventus were drawn against Arsenal. The first leg will be played away from home at Highbury on 28th March, whilst the return leg, at the Delle Alpi, will be played on 5th April. Arsenal – currently fifth in the Premier League – will present a similar challenge to the one Juventus faced against Werder Bremen. Strong both technically and on the counter-attack, they play at a high-tempo preferring to keep the ball on the ground and pass through the opposition than resorting to long-balls. Their star striker, Thierry Henry, will be familiar to Juventus fans from his brief sojourn at the club before his transfer to the Gunners in 1999. The ex-bianconero helped to secure Arsenal’s qualification to the quarter-finals having scored the decisive goal against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. Aside from Henry, Arsenal boast the talents of Reyes, Ljunberg and Fabregas, who have been at the forefront of an unbeaten European campaign that has seen them concede only two goals so far. Domestically, Arsenal have been one of the dominant forces in English football for the last ten years. Since the arrival of their manager Arsene Wenger in 1996, they have won the FA Cup three times and the Premiership four times. When they last won the title in 2003/2004, they played the entire season undefeated, earning them the title ‘The Invincibles’. The draw will also present an interesting challenge to Patrick Vieira. The bianconeri midfielder left the Gunners this summer, having spent nine years there. For many, Arsenal have been in a period of transition since his departure, seeking to fill the defensive-midfield role that he dominated whilst at the club. Speaking after the draw, Vieira said: “At times fate can surprise you, in fact I had a feeling this might happen. Obviously it will be a very personal challenge for me, particularly to go back to Highbury as the opposition, but putting my emotions to one side, I can only think about the fact that we have to win.”
