COUGHS AND SNEEZES

Last updated : 19 February 2003 By Editor
Juventus will be without several key players for this evenings match due to a flu virus going round the players. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, defender Alessandro Birindelli, midfielder Gianluca Zambrotta as well as strikers Marco Di Vaio and Marcelo Salas are out because of the bug. And reports from Italy last night claim that David Trezeguet is starting to show flu like symptoms.

Juventus coach Marcello Lippi said yesterday

"It is an extraordinary situation, 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.

"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."

Juventus have called on 5 reserve team players to help ease the problem.

Meanwhile United have only the suspended Juan Veron and the injured Quinton Fortune missing as Beckham, Scholes and Giggs are all expected to shake off niggling injuries before tonight.

Speaking about Juve's flu problem Alex Ferguson said:

"We are all selfish, so it should be good news that they have a few players out but I would prefer them to have their strongest side available,"

"There is always this worry that when you are playing a weakened team there is a drop in your own mental preparation. We cannot fall into that trap.

"Manchester United against Juventus is the biggest game in the world. It doesn't matter who has the flu virus, we are still playing the name and we have to do our job."

Tonight's ref will be the Dane Kim Milton Nielsen famous for sending Beckham off in the '98 World Cup. United have never lost when he has refereed their games.

With the odds staking up against Juve for tonight's showdown why not have a punt. Follow the link below to bet365 where there's the chance of a FREE £20 bet for all new accounts.

And if you don't like that why not take a chance at Blue Sq. You'll even be helping out Red Issue.