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'I've never seen someone score without shoes!' - Nedved hails Matri's boot-less strike
10-Feb-2013 3:05:00 PM
The former Ballon d'Or winner admitted his amusement at seeing the curious manner in which the Italy international scored, before turning his focus to the Champions League
Juventus director Pavel Nedved gave his seal of approval to Alessandro Matri's goal, as the striker helped fire his team to a 2-0 victory against Fiorentina on Saturday.The 28-year-old netted right before half-time with his sock after his boot slipped off bizarrely in the build-up play.
His goal, after Mirko Vucinic's opener, has temporarily fired Antonio Conte's men six points clear at the top of Serie A, and left the former Juve star bemused.
"In my career, I've never seen someone score a goal without shoes," the retired Czech midfielder told reporters.
Reflecting on the match, Nedved said he was delighted with the impact made by the Bianconeri against a stern opposition ahead of their Champions League clash with Celtic.
"We are very satisfied with how the team approached the match," he continued.
"Fiorentina play a great style of football, they have a more than capable coach and a dangerous team. But today we really wanted the three points and played well to get them.
"It was a great test of character and everyone worked towards the same goal. In January, we had a slight dip in form but you can’t be at the top of your game over the course of a whole season.
"Now we’re in form and ready for Europe. I’m fully aware of the atmosphere that awaits us in Glasgow because I've been there and experienced it first hand.
"We’ll be stepping into a lion’s den and I don’t think the team will need geeing up. We’ll have to tough it out, but we have shown that we’re ready."
Meanwhile, Matri himself was similarly bemused with his somewhat fortuitous striker.
"My boot fell off just before the goal, as someone had trodden on the back of my foot, so I scored in my socks. Well, it turned out to be for the best!" he added.
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