KEANO ON CHAMPIONS LEAGUE AND FITNESS

Last updated : 21 February 2003 By Editor
"Juventus did well against us and it will be tough over there as well but we feel
we have the strength to get through. We have to be careful now but it puts us
in a very strong position.

"We were all disappointed after Saturday [against Arsenal] - not just with the
result but with the performance.

"There is always another game around the corner so it was nice to get one
under our belts especially against a quality team like Juventus and to get the
right result is always nice. The league is still alive for us.

Speaking about his hip injury he said:

"I don't feel too bad. Injuries are part and parcel of football and I feel quite
good

"I'm not here to talk about that [missing training], I'll relax and I do have
stretching exercises. Everyone is aware of that, I'm not going over old
ground."

However he did admit that it has changed his role in team:

"I don't mind really [the holding role]. That's the way I'll have to carry on
playing because . . ." Keane said, before changing direction. "It suits me now
and it suits the team. You can't have everyone pushing on. Nicky Butt likes to
hold back and that gives me the odd opportunity to go forward. In European
games you have to be careful. It depends on the game, I have to adapt, most
players do."

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